A case of epiphora secondary to a large apical periodontal cyst

Abstract

Background: The objective of this manuscript is to report a rare cause of epiphora. Ophthalmologists may consider referring patients to otolaryngologists for refractory epiphora. Case presentation: We report a case of a 54-year-old female patient presenting to the clinic for chronic nasal obstruction and epiphora. A CT scan revealed the presence of a large apical periodontal cyst derived from the posterior root of the last residual molar of the right upper quadrant. Its superomedial edge is responsible for a medial bulge of the maxillary bony wall, filling the osteomeatal complex. A right septal deviation was noted secondary to the mass effect. Conclusion: No case in the literature has described nasolacrimal duct obstruction secondary to a radicular cyst. This case report describes a patient presenting with chronic epiphora that has resolved with cyst removal. Tearing was found to be secondary to a radicular cyst.

Keywords

• Nasal obstruction
• Epiphora
• Radicular cyst
• Nasolacrimal duct