Reactive lymphoid hyperplasia of the nasolacrimal duct presenting as bloody epiphora.

A 90-year-old man reported a 1-year history of tearing and irritation in the left eye. Ophthalmic examination was significant for bloody mucopurulent material expressed from the left nasolacrimal duct. The patient underwent external dacryocystorhinostomy with excision of a soft-tissue mass. Initial histopathologic examination of the specimen revealed an atypical lymphoid infiltrate. Subsequent immunohistochemistry suggested that the mass was reactive lymphoid hyperplasia. Lymphoid hyperplasia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of bloody epiphora, in addition to primary malignancy of the nasolacrimal duct, hematologic abnormalities, coagulopathies, vascular tumors, and giant papillary conjunctivitis.