Journal of Ophthalmic and Vision Research

ISSN: 2008-322X

The latest research in clinical ophthalmology and vision science

Heterotopic Ossification Originating from the Lacrimal Sac of a Child: A Case Report

Published date: Jul 30 2025

Journal Title: Journal of Ophthalmic and Vision Research

Issue title: ‎Volume 20 - 2025

Pages: 1 - 5

DOI: 10.18502/jovr.v20.16581

Authors:

Behzad Khademikhademi.behzad@gmail.comPoostchi Ophthalmology Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz

Mehdi Moallemdr.m.moallem@gmail.comPoostchi Ophthalmology Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz,

Mahsa Kohandel-Shirazimahsakohandel@hotmail.comDepartment of Pathology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz

Abstract:

Purpose: We present a case of hemolacria, which emerged as an unusual mass in the lacrimal sac.
Case Report: A nine-year-old girl presented with intermittent unilateral hemolacria and episodes of dacryocystitis with no further remarkable medical or surgical history. CT scan indicated the presence of well-defined calcified tissue enclosed within the lacrimal sac. Following external dacryocystorhinostomy, well-formed firm tissue resembling bony tissue was extracted and sent for pathological evaluation, along with biopsies from the lacrimal sac. Histopathological analysis revealed heterotopic bone formation with nonspecific inflammation of the lacrimal sac. No underlying cause was discernible in the complementary assessment, and no recurrence was noted at one-year follow-up.
Conclusion: A child with hemolacria was found to have heterotopic ossification in the lacrimal sac with no discernible underlying cause.

Keywords: Hemolacria, Heterotopic Ossification, Lacrimal Sac

References:

1. Vemuganti GK, Honavar SG, Jalali S. Intraocular osseous metaplasia. A clinico-pathological study. Indian J Ophthalmol 2002;50:183–188.

2. Meyers C, Lisiecki J, Miller S, Levin A, Fayad L, Ding C, et al. Heterotopic ossification: A comprehensive review. JBMR Plus 2019;3:e10172.

3. Monselise M, Rapaport I, Romem M, Barishak YR. Intraocular ossification. Ophthalmologica 1985;190:225–229.

4. Froula PD. Bartley GB, Garrity JA, Forbes G. The differential diagnosis of orbital calcification as detected on computed tomographic scans. Mayo Clin Proc 1993;68:256–261.

5. Fowler BT, Kosko MG, Pegram TA, Haik BG, Fleming JC, Oester AE. Haemolacria: A novel approach to lesion localization. Orbit 2015;34:309–313.

6. Ho VH, Wilson MW, Linder JS, Fleming JC, Haik BG. Bloody tears of unknown cause: Case series and review of the literature. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg 2004;20:442–447.

7. Demir HD, Aydın E, Koseoğlu RD. A lacrimal sac mass with bloody discharge. Orbit 2012;31:179–180.

8. Munteanu M, Munteanu G, Giuri S, Zolog I, Motoc AG. Ossification of the choroid: Three clinical cases and literature review of the pathogenesis of intraocular ossification. Rom J Morphol Embryol 2013;54:871–877.

9. Nath K, Rahi AH, Rahi SL. Heterotopic ossification of tarsus. Arch Ophthalmol 1966;75:642–643.

10. Charles NC, DeMaria LN, Viriya ET. Osseous metaplasia of the eyelid in a child. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg 2021;37:e187–188.

11. Toyran S, Lin AY, Edward DP. Expression of growth differentiation factor-5 and bone morphogenic protein- 7 in intraocular osseous metaplasia. Br J Ophthalmol 2005;89:885–890.

12. Marcet MM, Roh JH, Mandeville JT, Woog JJ. Localized orbital amyloidosis involving the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct. Ophthalmology 2006;113:153–156.