Management of Pediatric Acute Dacryocystitis

Abstract

Management of pediatric acute dacryocystitis should be tailored individually for each case. Hospital admission and early surgical intervention are not mandatory, as 31% of cases resolved without admission, and 56% without early surgical intervention. Although a specific age cutoff is not plausible, hospital admission for younger patients is more commonly advocated. When surgical intervention is indicated, endonasal examination and microdebridement of any associated intranasal cyst and probing with possible stenting are the initial procedures of choice. Dacryocystorhinostomy is reserved for more complex obstructions. Although pediatric acute dacryocystitis is an infection with serious potential problems, when managed appropriately, complications are rare.