Chronic dacryocystitis due to Mycobacterium abscessus

Abstract

Dacryocystitis, inflammation and infection of the lacrimal sac, is most commonly caused by infection from Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species. This report highlights a rare case of chronic dacryocystitis due to the atypical pathogen Mycobacterium abscessus. A 62-year-old woman presented with several months of left medial canthal pain, tenderness, and discharge. Exam demonstrated a left tender medial nodule, and imaging showed left lacrimal sac dilation and fluid collection consistent with dacryocystitis. She underwent external dacryocystorhinostomy with drainage and culture of the abscess, which was positive for M. abscessus. Her post-surgical treatment required an extended course of antibiotics, including omadacycline and azithromycin, with slow but progressive symptomatic improvement. This case is only the second reported case of dacryocystitis due to M. abscessus and suggests a role for culturing lacrimal sac abscesses intraoperatively due to the need for extended antibiotic therapy for atypical infections that may have high antibiotic resistance.

Keywords: Mycobacterium abscessus; dacryocystitis; lacrimal sac abscess; mycobacteria; omadacycline.