Canaliculitis is an uncommon chronic unilateral disease caused by infection with Actinomyces israeli, Candida Albicans or Aspergillus species. The authors has experienced 2 cases of canaliculitis associated with chronic conjunctivitis. The organism was confirmed microscopically on a direct smear taken from the canaliculus. In addition to some clinical observations, a brief review of literature has been described.
Actinomyces ; Aspergillus ; Candida albicans ; Conjunctivitis ; Canaliculitis

Canaliculitis is an uncommon condition. It is often difficult to diagnose because of its chronicity and its multitude of clinical presentations. We reviewed the nature, the diagnosis and therapy of six patients of chronic lacrimal canaliculitis. Bacteriologic investigation showed one case of E. coli, one case of alpha-hemolytic streptococcus, two of coagulase-negative staphylococcus and no growth to be seen in two cases. On dacryocystography, canalicular diverticulum were found in three cases. Five patients were treated with conservation therapy and one case improved with surgical treatment. Canaliculitis can be diagnosed by clinical features and dacryocystography. Conservative therapy should take priority to surgical treatment.
Diagnosis* ; Diverticulum ; Humans ; Staphylococcus ; Streptococcus ; Canaliculitis

PURPOSE: To report on the treatment approach of canaliculitis related to SmartPLUG use and its clinical manifestation. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of eight patients who had canaliculitis after the insertion of the SmartPLUG was conducted. RESULTS: Seven out of eight cases with canaliculitis related to the SmartPLUG required extraction of the SmartPLUG. While four cases were removed with only retrograde massage, two cases required surgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Canaliculitis related to SmartPLUG use is rarely reported. However, canaliculitis as a complication is difficult to treat and often leads to surgery. In canaliculitis related to SmartPLUG use, retrograde massage as a non-surgical method for the simple and effective removal of the SmartPLUG can be beneficial.
Corneal Ulcer ; Dacryocystitis ; Humans ; Massage ; Retrospective Studies ; Canaliculitis

PURPOSE: To report on the clinical manifestations, species and treatments of patients with chronic canaliculitis. METHODS: From August 2003 to February 2012, 77 eyes of 77 patients who were diagnosed with chronic canaliculitis at our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The mean period from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 4.7 months. The most common systemic disease associated with chronic canaliculitis was diabetes (18 eyes, 23%), and 13 eyes (17%) were related to punctual plug insertion. Main symptoms consisted of epiphora with discharge and pouting punctum. In the culture results of 55 eyes, streptococci, staphylococci, and actinomyces among other bacteria were identified. Seventy-two eyes (94%) were cured with one-snip punctoplasty with curettage. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic canaliculitis is rare, and the clinical aspect can be obscured by chronic conjunctivitis, thus the diagnosis is often delayed. In patients who have systemic diseases such as diabetes or past history of punctual plug insertion, chronic canaliculitis should be differentiated by observing the punctum more closely. If the diagnosis is accurate at the time, chronic canaliculitis could be easily cured by a relatively simple procedure such as one-snip punctoplasty with curettage.
Actinomyces ; Bacteria ; Conjunctivitis ; Corneal Ulcer ; Curettage ; Dacryocystitis ; Eye ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases ; Retrospective Studies ; Canaliculitis

PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence and clinical course of canaliculitis after dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) with silicone tubes. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 521 eyes in 484 patients who had undergone DCR with silicone tubes between October 1994 and May 2006. RESULTS: Canaliculitis occurred in 11 eyes (2.1%). The mean age of the 10 patients involved in this study was 62.1 years (47~71 years) with a mean follow-up period of 11.1 months (6~36 months). The mean onset of canaliculitis was 3.2 months (1~5 months) after the surgery. All cases of canaliculitis were resolved with antibiotic treatment after silicone tube removal, and the surgical outcomes were successful in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of canaliculitis after DCR with silicone tubes was rare. In such cases, the final surgical outcome was successful after appropriate treatment.
Corneal Ulcer ; Dacryocystitis ; Dacryocystorhinostomy ; Eye ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Retrospective Studies ; Silicones ; Canaliculitis

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical effects of the single wide-diameter bicanalicular silicone tube and the double bicanalicular silicone tube in endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) with canalicular trephinization for canalicular obstruction. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 121 patients with monocanalicular or common canalicular obstruction who had undergone endonasal DCR with random bicanalicular insertion of either double silicone tubes (insertion of two tubes into each canaliculus) or a single wide-diameter (0.94 mm) silicone tube. The tubes were removed at around 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: This study included 79 eyes of 61 patients in the double-tube intubation group and 68 eyes of 60 patients in the single wide-diameter tube intubation group. Anatomical success, evaluated by syringing, was achieved in 72 of the 79 eyes (91.1%) in the double-tube intubation group and 60 of the 68 eyes (88.2%) in the single wide-diameter tube intubation group. Functional success was achieved in 65 of the 79 eyes (82.3%) in the double-tube intubation group and 61 of the 68 (89.7%) eyes in the single wide-diameter tube intubation group. There were no significant differences in the success rates of surgery between the two groups. One patient in the double-tube intubation group underwent conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy (CDCR) and two in the wide-diameter tube intubation group underwent CDCR or reintubation to treat recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Intubation using a single wide-diameter tube during endonasal DCR is as effective as double-tube intubation for the treatment of canalicular obstruction, with a lower rate of complications such as inflammation or patient discomfort.
Canaliculitis ; Dacryocystorhinostomy ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Intubation ; Lacrimal Duct Obstruction ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Silicon* ; Silicones*

PURPOSE: To report the therapeutic effect of squeezing the punctum and lacrimal canaliculus using Q-tips in canaliculitis patients. METHODS: From March 2004 to February 2014, 42 eyes of 42 patients diagnosed with canaliculitis at our clinic were retrospectively analyzed. To remove the discharge and concretions, the punctum and lacrimal canaliculus were squeezed using Q-tips without invasive procedures. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 56.39 years and mean follow-up period was 10.6 months. No statistical significance was observed in terms of rate of disease occurrence and mean age between males and females. Among the eyes analyzed, 30 (71.4%) were cured with only 1 squeezing procedure, 12 eyes (28.6%) required more than 2 procedures; 1 eye (2.3%) recurred and the period until recurrence was 3.8 months. CONCLUSIONS: Most studies support surgical management as the definitive therapy for canaliculitis to remove concretions that serve as a reservoir for bacteria. The gold standard treatments are curettage or canaliculotomy; however, these are not safe procedures and may result in epiphora in post-procedure patients due to the risk of lacrimal pump dysfunctioning or scarring of the canalicular system following invasive procedure. Squeezing punctum and lacrimal canaliculus only using Q-tips is effective in removing the canalicular concretions and without causing complications in the canalicular system.
Bacteria ; Cicatrix ; Curettage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases ; Male ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Canaliculitis

PURPOSE: To report the clinical features and treatment of canaliculitis associated with SmartPlug punctal plug insertion. METHODS: Case selection criteria included patients with canaliculitis, who were managed at Seoul National University Hospital from January 2006 to October 2008, presenting with a history of punctal plug insertion. The operation reports were reviewed to identify patients in whom SmartPlug was discovered during the operation. Six patients (8 eyes) were identified, and a retrospective chart review was performed for all the patients. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 34.3+/-8.6 years, and there were 1 men and 5 women. Common symptoms were mucous discharge (6 eyes) and conjunctival injection (2 eyes). The mean time from insertion of the plug to onset of symptoms was 27.0+/-27.0 months (range 4 to 77 months). All patients underwent surgical removal of the punctal plug by one-snip punctoplasty, canalicular retrograde compression using 2 cotton-tipped applications (2 eyes), or canalicular curettage (6 eyes). All patients had resolution of symptoms after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Canaliculitis should be considered when there is conjunctival discharge or injection in patients with SmartPlug. One-snip punctoplasty and retrograde compression of canaliculus can be attempted preferentially as a minimally-invasive treatment option.
Corneal Ulcer ; Curettage ; Dacryocystitis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Patient Selection ; Retrospective Studies ; Canaliculitis

PURPOSE: To report cases of complications after using punctual plugs with a literature review. METHODS: We studied 3 complicated cases after the use of punctual plugs: a 46-year-old female with recurrent mucopurulent discharge, a 42-year-old male with a pinkish mass over the punctum, and a 29-year-old female with recurrent epiphora. RESULTS: The 46-year-old female was diagnosed with canaliculitis caused by actinomyces, the 42-year-old male with chronic pyogenic granuloma, and the 29-year-old female with canalicular obstruction. All 3 cases improved after proper treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Complications after the use of punctal plugs are not common but they can be significant. They have to be used carefully after through evaluation and obtained proper informed consents from the patient.
Actinomyces ; Adult ; Female ; Granuloma, Pyogenic ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Canaliculitis

Actinomycosis of nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is a rare chronic infectious disease. Canaliculitis is an uncommon condition which is developed from various causes. A case of canaliculitis due to actinomyces-infected nasolacrimal stent is reported.
Actinomycosis ; Communicable Diseases ; Corneal Ulcer ; Dacryocystitis ; Nasal Cavity ; Paranasal Sinuses ; Stents ; Canaliculitis