[Lacrimal sac tumors presenting as lacrimal obstruction. Retrospective study in Mexican patients 2007-2012]

Abstract

Objective: To determine the demographic and clinical data of primary tumors of the lacrimal sac presenting as lacrimal obstruction.

Methods: Retrospective and descriptive study was conducted between the years 2007 to 2012 on all patients undergoing surgery for low lacrimal obstruction at Dr. Luis Sanchez Bulnes Hospital, an Association for the prevention of blindness in Mexico IAP.

Results: Primary tumors of the lacrimal sac represented 2.5% of all lacrimal obstructions, being more common in women than in men (8:1). The large majority (89%) of the cases were non-epithelial, with lymphoid lesions being the most frequent. Benign tumors were presented at a younger age (50 years old) than malignant (70 years old). One-third (33%) of cases were unexpected findings during surgery (100% benign). Just over half (55%) were malignant tumors (1.4% of obstructions), all of them lymphoproliferative lesions. The most frequent clinical tumor was in the inner edge, either with or without epiphora. The progression time varied according to the degree of aggressiveness of the lymphoma (3 months-10 years).

Conclusions: Lacrimal sac tumors are rare, but they must be taken into account in patients with an unusual clinical presentation of lacrimal obstruction.

Keywords: Epiphora; Epífora; Inverted papilloma; Lacrimal obstruction; Lacrimal system malignant tumor; Linfoma; Lymphoma; Obstrucción vía lagrimal; Papiloma invertido; Tumor maligno vía lagrimal.