Journal of Clinical Case Reports

Lacrimal Sac Mucocele in a Newborn: A Rare Mimic of Congenital Intranasal Tumor

Abstract

Ayla Gunlemez, Selim Oncel, Nagihan Inan, Murat Ozturk, Gulcan Turke and Funda Corapcioglu

Lacrimal sac mucocele, either unilateral or bilateral, occurs when the nasolacrimal duct is obstructed and is a rare anomaly in the newborn period. We presented 1 day old full-term female baby with respiratory distress. She was referred by her primary care provider for an otolaryngologic assesment with the suspicion of choanal atresia. In her nasal endoscopy, a mass with a mucosal lining was filling the right nasal cavity. Ultrasonography showed a submucosal tumorous lesion in the right nasal cavity and MRI demonstrated a unilateal lacrimal sac mucocele. In this case report, it is stressed that lacrimal sac mucocele may manifest only with intranasal mass in the newborn period; which can be misdiagnosed as a tumor. MRI is a valuable tool in its capacity to delineate many details in mucocele and may prevent unnecessary biopsies and other surgical procedures.