Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 15, 2025

Transcanalicular Diode Laser-assisted Dacryocystorhinostomy for the Treatment of Primary Acquired Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction
07:30

Transcanalicular Diode Laser-assisted Dacryocystorhinostomy for the Treatment of Primary Acquired Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

Published on: October 13, 2017

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Leprosy as a cause of nasolacrimal duct obstruction

Darren A Chen1, Maxwell T Roth2, Firas Sbeih3

  • 1Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Orbit (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
|August 28, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Leprosy (Hansen disease) can cause late-onset eye complications like nasolacrimal duct obstruction. This case shows granulomatous inflammation in the lacrimal sac, a rare sequela of treated Mycobacterium leprae infection.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Leprosy, or Hansen disease, is caused by Mycobacterium leprae and can affect the skin, nerves, and eyes.
  • While treated, leprosy can have long-term sequelae, including ocular complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a case of epiphora due to chronic nasolacrimal duct obstruction as a late complication of treated tuberculoid leprosy.
  • To describe the pathological findings in the lacrimal sac.

Main Methods:

  • Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) was performed.
  • Histopathological examination of the lacrimal sac specimen was conducted.
  • Fite staining was used to identify bacterial structures.

Main Results:

  • The patient presented with epiphora four years post-treatment for leprosy.
  • Dacryocystitis with granulomatous inflammation and bacterial structures was found in the lacrimal sac.
  • Pathology revealed non-necrotizing granulomas consistent with sequelae of M. leprae infection.

Conclusions:

  • Chronic nasolacrimal duct obstruction can be a delayed manifestation of treated leprosy.
  • Granulomatous inflammation in the lacrimal sac is a potential sequela of M. leprae infection.
  • Surgical intervention (DCR) can effectively manage this complication.
Keywords:
Leprosyendoscopic dacryocystorhinostomyepiphoranasolacrimal duct obstruction

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