Dacryops – A review

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To review and summarize the epidemiology, clinical presentations, histopathologic characteristics and management of dacryops.

Methods: A comprehensive PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar search of all articles written in English and non-English language articles with abstract translated to English on dacryops were reviewed. Data reviewed included epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentations, histopathologic characteristics and management of dacryops.

Results: Lacrimal ductal cysts or dacryops are classified based on locations: palpebral lobe cysts (simple dacryops); orbital lobe cysts; cysts of the accessory lacrimal glands of Krause and Wolfring; and cysts of ectopic (choristomatous) lacrimal glands. The exact etiology of dacryops remains unknown. Dacryops is usually asymptomatic but can present with varied symptoms depending on the type and associated complications. While complete excision of dacryops is generally recommended, marsupialization is also a safe and effective method for the treatment of dacryops in the palpebral lobe of lacrimal gland. Complete surgical excision via orbitotomy is required for deep orbital lesions.

Conclusion: Dacryops is an uncommon benign cystic lacrimal gland tissue neoplasm. Dacryops can be classified into four types based on locations. Lesions could be either superficial that can be seen through the fornix or deep into the orbit. Observation is also an option for small or asymptomatic lesions. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment for symptomatic cases, but approaches are different depending on the location of the lesions.

KEYWORDS:

• Dacryops
• lacrimal gland cyst
• lacrimal ductal cyst
• orbital cyst
• lacrimal gland tumors

Method of literature search

A comprehensive PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase and Google Scholar search of all articles written in English and non-English language articles with abstract translated to English on “dacryops” or “lacrimal gland cyst” or “lacrimal ductal cyst” and “simple dacryops” and “orbital dacryops” and “cyst of the accessory lacrimal glands of Krause and Wolfring” and “ectopic dacryops” or “ectopic lacrimal gland cysts” from 1920 to 2017 were reviewed. In addition, articles cited in the reference lists of other articles were also reviewed. We have included case reports and case series only if they contributed new information about characteristics, diagnosis or treatment of the disease.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.