Symptomatic lacrimal duct diverticulum associated with closed nasal fracture

Diverticula of the nasolacrimal collecting system are rare. Their cause may be congenital, inflammatory, or traumatic. A diverticulum of the nasolacrimal duct that presented 26 years after nasal trauma is described. The location of this diverticulum is extremely uncommon, and a case occurring after closed nasal trauma has not yet been presented. Evaluative studies and pertinent anatomy are reviewed. In any patient with recurrent dacryocystitis after nasal fracture, the diagnosis of a lacrimal system diverticulum should be considered. A detailed history and physical examination combined with dacryocystography can be confirmatory. Treatment should consist of surgical exploration with a nasolacrimal system bypass procedure.