Congenital dacryocystocele: sonographic evaluation of 11 cases

Abstract

Purpose: To report prenatal sonographic findings of congenital dacryocystocele.

Methods: The medical records of all cases diagnosed with congenital dacryocystocele at a tertiary care center from 2003 to 2015 were reviewed retrospectively.

Results: Eleven cases of congenital dacryocystocele were analyzed. No accompanying fetal anatomic anomalies where detected. Mean maternal age at evaluation was 22 years of age (range, 17-32 years). Four of 10 cases were primigravidas. The mean gestational age at evaluation was 32.6 weeks' gestational age. Ten out of 11 cases occurred in female fetuses (91%). Of the 11, 10 cases were unilateral and 1 was bilateral. The mean diameter at evaluation was 5.1 mm. Spontaneous resolution occurred in 2 cases (18%). In the remaining 9 fetuses, postnatal diagnosis of dacryocystocele were confirmed by an ophthalmologist evaluation.

Conclusions: Prenatally diagnosed congenital dacryocystocele may undergo spontaneous resolution before birth. However, a better understanding of the prenatal sonographic findings can help to appropriately orient parents of potentially affected fetuses. Referral to a pediatrician and pediatric ophthalmologist may be considered for complete evaluation and postnatal management.