ABSTRACT

Dacryocystocele (mucocele, amniocele) is a relatively rare variant of nasolacrimal duct obstruction which refers to the cystic dilatation of lacrimal pathway above and below the lacrimal sac. It is a benign pathology and can be treated successfully after birth, but its prenatal detection is important, because it may be seen in numerous syndromes and may serve as their marker. Bilateral cysts have the possibility for intranasal extension and an obstruction to the nasal passages may result in neonatal respiratory distress requiring surgical intervention Unilateral cases are important for the differential diagnosis with serious facial abnormalities. We present a case of early prenatal detection of a 28 year-old G: 1 P: 0 pregnant woman with bilateral dacryocystocele. She presented a live, normally developed singleton fetus on sonographic examination at 12, 16 and 22 weeks. At 25th weeks, we diagnosed a hypoechogenic mass, that was situated inferomedially to the eyes in the fetal face with 2 and 3-D ultrasound. A 3850-g live female infant was delivered by Cesarean section due to breech presentation at 39 weeks following preterm rupture of membranes. We report the case with intranasal components studied during fetal life by 2 and 3-D ultrasound and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

Keywords: Dacryocystocele, mucocele, amniocele, magnetic resonance imaging, nasolacrimal duct cyst