Tuberculosis of the nasolacrimal duct

Abstract

Nasolacrimal tuberculosis is rare. The authors present a young Peruvian-born female with subacute onset of right eye epiphora, isolated right inferior turbinate enlargement, and ipsilateral cervical lymphadenopathy. Turbinate and neck mass incisional biopsies demonstrated histopathological findings consistent with tuberculosis. QuantiFERON-TB Gold-In-Tube testing was positive. Complete resolution of symptoms occurred after dacryocystorhinostomy and 9 months of standard 4-drug antituberculosis therapy. Tuberculosis of the nasolacrimal duct is highly unusual but should be considered in patients with tuberculosis risk factors who present with nasolacrimal obstruction from an inferior turbinate mass.