Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of simple curettage in the treatment of persistent or recurrent canaliculitis patients which often misdiagnosed.

Methods: The medical records of 5 patients with a history of canaliculitis-related symptoms for minimum 8 months and complaining about tenderness, recurrent epiphora with discharge, were reviewed retrospectively. All patients with clinically detectable canalicular concretions were treated expressible drainage and simple curettage (without canaliculotomy). During the 9 months of follow-up period, no further symptoms was observed, and canaliculitis was totally resolved in all of the patients.

Results: Five patients with a mean age of 52.2 ± 8.0 years (range, 45 - 65 years) were included in the study. Of the patients, 2 were women, and 3 were men. The mean duration of symptoms was 8.6 ± 2.2 months (range, 6 - 12) months. Epiphora, recurrent conjunctivitis, swelling around the canaliculus, and mucopurulent punctal discharge were present in all of the patients. Microbiological examination of the sample was reported as Streptomyces epidermidis.

Conclusion: Canaliculitis is an uncommon, and often misdiagnosed inflammation of the lacrimal canalicular system. As it mimics many other common ocular conditions, there is usually a delay in the treatment. The patients with chronic conjunctivitis and lacrimal infection must be examined carefully for canaliculitis and can be easily treated with simple curettage and antibiotics.

Keywords: Chronic Canaliculitis; Canalicular Concretions; Canalicular Curettage

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