Abstract

MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE DACRYOCYSTITIS AS POOYALASA– A CASE REPORT

*Aiswarya V. Nair and S. Sunil Kumar

ABSTRACT

Inflammation of lacrimal sac is called dacryocystitis. Acute dacryocystitis may present as a lacrimal abscess which may burst spontaneously and if not intervened in time, it can result in a fistula and other severe complications like osteomyelitis and brain abscess. The disease Pooyalasa described in Ayurveda has features similar to that of acute dacryocystitis. Pooyalasa is a pilla roga which can develop into a chronic recurrent pathology. Management of acute diseases is often considered to be outside the purview of Ayurveda and hence such cases do not often reach Ayurveda doctors for management. This case demonstrates the management of a serious acute pathology using the fundamental principles of Ayurveda. Objectives: To analyze acute dacryocystitis in terms of pooyalasa and its management using Ayurveda treatment protocols. Case report: A 31 year old male patient, a diagnosed case of Steven Johnson syndrome for the past 15 years, developed sudden onset pain, swelling and redness of left eyelids and upper part of cheek with fever and positive regurgitation test. Diagnosed as acute dacryocystitis or pooyalasa, he was treated along the lines of vranasopha chikitsa with internal medications and kriyakramas. On bursting of abscess, vrana sodhana and ropana line of management was adopted. After the ulcer healed, Agnikarma was done to prevent recurrence. Result: Complaints resolved in three weeks. Conclusion: The disease Pooyalasa is thus clinically similar to acute dacryocystitis and the treatment principles described for its management can be successfully used to treat such cases.

Keywords: Dacryocystitis, Pooyalasa, Ayurveda.