Dacryocystitis

As dacryocystitis ( gr Dakry, tear, cyst, bladder ,- itis, inflammation) is called an acute or chronic inflammation of the lacrimal sac ( lacrimal sac ) and the surrounding tissue. It is most often caused by an obstruction and subsequent infection of the lacrimal sac (or lacrimal duct, nasolacrimal duct ). The disease occurs in humans and in animals ( common in domestic rabbits and chinchillas ) ago.

Causes

The most common cause of dacryocystitis a drainage of the lacrimal drainage system is considered, which leads to a colonization by bacteria (especially Staphylococcus aureus and Haemophilus influenzae, in rare cases, a primary complex of tuberculosis). In the following there will be a reconciliation of the initially limited to the lacrimal sac inflammation ( empyema ) on the adjacent tissue (abscess ).

In rabbits, especially Pasteurella and staphylococci are involved. Malocclusions are a predisposing factor, since the roots can narrow down the tear duct.

Symptoms

Symptoms of dacryocystitis are a painful redness and swelling of the lacrimal sac area on the affected side and pus discharge from the lacrimal sac through the lacrimal puncta or by spontaneous opening of tissue inflammation. Depending on the severity itself may be reddened the eye.

Ahead of inflammation occurs through the outflow obstruction to epiphora ( epiphora ).

Treatment

Man

Treatment is with antibiotics and disinfectant, wet compresses. In the presence of an abscess that needs to be opened by an incision, since a spread of inflammation can lead to a poten life-threatening inflammation of the brain.

After the inflammation has subsided, the tear duct closure must be rehabilitated as the underlying cause of the inflammation surgically, so the tears can flow again and thus re-ignition is prevented. This procedure is called dacryocystorhinostomy ( Toti operation). Here, a detour (bypass) from the lacrimal sac to the nose is created through a bone window to the nose, through the tear fluid can drain. Newer, less reliable methods attempt with an endoscope restore the old anatomical relationships.

Rabbit

In the rabbit, rinses the lacrimal duct are usually performed under local anesthesia and then given an antibiotic into the lacrimal sac. Here gentamicin and enrofloxacin have been proven. Must be reckoned with recurrences in rabbits. Often, the relocation of the nasolacrimal duct in rabbits is based on a change to the roots of the upper jaw, which can be determined by using X-rays. When misaligned teeth, they must be corrected.