Indian Journal of Ophthalmology

ARTICLES
Year
: 1967  |  Volume : 15  |  Issue : 3  |  Page : 105--106

Non-specific intra-canalicular granuloma


K Nath, HV Nema, S Hameed 
 Muslim University Institute of Ophthalmology and Gandhi Eve Hospital, Aligarh, India

Correspondence Address:
K Nath
Muslim University Institute of Ophthalmology and Gandhi Eve Hospital, Aligarh
India




How to cite this article:
Nath K, Nema H V, Hameed S. Non-specific intra-canalicular granuloma.Indian J Ophthalmol 1967;15:105-106


How to cite this URL:
Nath K, Nema H V, Hameed S. Non-specific intra-canalicular granuloma. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 1967 [cited 2024 Mar 28 ];15:105-106
Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?1967/15/3/105/38696


Full Text

Canalicular granulomas are rather rare and occur following trauma, re�tained foreign bodies, trachoma and mycotic infections. Serra (1926), Scheerer (1931), Baquis (1931), Fa�zakas (1937), Nicholls (1938) and Redi (1947) have reported cases of non�specific granulomas while Wegner (1926) reported a case of mycotic granuloma. The other reported solid swelling of the canaliculus is an an�gioma---Scheerer, (1931).

 Case Report



A muslim female [Figure 1] aged 80, who had gradually lost her vision over a period of twelve years and was com�pletely blind for the last two years, was complaining of chronic irritation and swelling on the inner side of her right upper lid for the last six months. In�cidentally she had been operated upon by a quack two years earlier for blind�ness in both the eyes but without any benefit.

 Examination



Both eyes had Trachoma IV and chronic blepharo-conjunctivitis. There was a firm pea-size swelling in the region of the right upper canaliculus occupying the medial one quarter of the upper lid [Figure 1]. Lacrimal pass�ages of this eye were blocked while those of the left were patent. Incident�ally, optical iridectomies had been per�formed in both the eyes previously. Anterior chambers were shallow and hyper-mature cataract was present in both eyes. Tension was raised to 40 mm of Hg and the eyes had lost all perception of light.

 Investigations



All pathological tests were nega�tive. Culture did not show any fungus infection or pathological micro-organ�isms.

 Treatment



As the glaucoma was painless and there was only a moderate rise of ten�sion, no surgical attempt was made for lowering the tension. The swelling in the region of her right canaliculus was dissected and removed along with the sac. The sac was found to be shrunken and fibrosed [Figure 2]. The canaliculus was found to be replaced by a firm mass. The patient made an uneventful recovery.

The specimen consisted of a firm mass of 1. X 8. cm. which, on cutting was pinkish white [Figure 2]. Attached to this was another fibrous shunken mass (sac) which was 7 x 3 mm. in dimensions. Microscopic examination with haematoxylin and eosin stain re�vealed that the lumen of the canali�culus was filled with a granulation mass consisting of round cells, plasma cells and histiocytes [Figure 3]. At places there was organisation. The wall of the ca�naliculus was also infiltrated by similar cells and occasional giant cells [Figure 4]. The sac wall was thickened fibrosed and had no lumen. Its anatomical diagnosis was intra-canalicular granu�loma.

 Discussion



The reports of non-specific granu�lomatous tumours are getting scantier in literature, the last being the report of Redi (1947). Six more references of this condition could be found earlier and no report of this condition has appeared subsequently. This, thus, appears to be the second commonest cause of a solid swelling of the lacri�mal canaliculus, the commonest being a papilloma or a polypous, of which about a dozen reports are available.

 Summary



A case of non-specific intra-canali�cular granuloma is reported after a gap of sixteen years.[8]

References

1Baquis, M. (1931), Lettura Oft., 8, 434.
2Duke-Elder, S. (1952), Text-book of Oph�thalmology, Kimpton. London, p. 5295-96 & 5343-45.
3Fazakas, A. (1937), Klin. M. Augenheilk.. 99, 372.
4Nicholls. J. V. V. (1938), Canad. Med. A. S. J., 39, 569.
5Redi, (1947), Rass. Ltd. d'ott., 16, 441.
6Scheerer. R. (1931). Klin. M. Auger.. 86, 445.
7Serra, H. (1926), Boll. d'Oc., 5, 331.
8Wegner, W. (1926). Zeits. f. Augen, 57. 123.