[Nasolacrimal duct obstruction caused by a cylindroma. Report of an atypical tumor manifestation and review of the literature]

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this report is to describe the clinical characteristics, management and histological findings in a patient with obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct caused by a cylindroma. About 618 lacrimal sac tumours have been reported previously in reviews and case reports, which were reviewed after searching in medline database.

Case report: A 79-year old man suffered from multiple cylindromas (Spiegler tumour) on his head for about 40 years. He presented with a 6 months' history of left-sided epiphora and a painless medial canthal mass of various size. A tumour which caused nasolacrimal duct obstruction was found during dacryocystorhinostomy. After complete excision histological examination revealed a cylindroma, which had shown expansive growth from dermis to the lacrimal sac area. The patient felt well; there was no longer any epiphora or dacryocystitis after the operation.

Conclusion: Although very rare, lacrimal sac tumours must be considered in the differential diagnosis of nasolacrimal duct obstruction. To our knowledge this case represents the first report on an atypical manifestation on a Spiegler tumour in the lacrimal sac region.