Which tends to have more swelling, tenderness, and pain: Dacryocystitis or Canaliculitis?

Which tends to have more swelling, tenderness, and pain: Dacryocystitis or Canaliculitis?

• A. Dacryocystitis
• B. Canaliculitis
• C. Both equally
• D. Neither

Answer: (A)

Swelling and tenderness reflect where the infection sits and how much tissue is involved. Dacryocystitis is an infection of the lacrimal sac, which sits just under the skin in the medial canthal area. When the sac is inflamed, it produces a visible, tender, warm swelling over the lacrimal sac, often with more pronounced pain. Canaliculitis, on the other hand, is infection of the canaliculus. The inflammation tends to stay along the canalicular tract near the punctum, causing tearing, discharge, and possibly tenderness along the canaliculus, but the swelling of the medial canthal skin is not as marked. Because of the tissue involved, dacryocystitis typically presents with greater swelling and pain.

Swelling and tenderness reflect where the infection sits and how much tissue is involved. Dacryocystitis is an infection of the lacrimal sac, which sits just under the skin in the medial canthal area. When the sac is inflamed, it produces a visible, tender, warm swelling over the lacrimal sac, often with more pronounced pain. Canaliculitis, on the other hand, is infection of the canaliculus. The inflammation tends to stay along the canalicular tract near the punctum, causing tearing, discharge, and possibly tenderness along the canaliculus, but the swelling of the medial canthal skin is not as marked. Because of the tissue involved, dacryocystitis typically presents with greater swelling and pain.