Computed Tomography Versus Dacryocystography for the Evaluation of the Nasolacrimal Duct-A Study With 72 Patients

Bony nasolacrimal duct size and outcomes of nasolacrimal silicone intubation for incomplete primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction

Purpose

To investigate the association between the bony nasolacrimal duct (NLD) size and outcomes of nasolacrimal silicone intubation for incomplete primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO).

Methods

Patients who underwent silicone intubation for incomplete PANDO and had undergone facial computed tomography (CT) were included. Surgical success was judged by both epiphora improvement and normalized tear meniscus height (TMH; < 300 μm) on anterior segment optical coherence tomography at 3 months after tube removal. The area, major axis diameter, and minor axis diameter of the elliptic bony NLD sections were measured in 1.0 mm-thick axial CT images. These bony NLD sizes were analyzed for associations with surgical success and TMH normalization.

Results

Eighty-one eyes of 48 patients were investigated. The smallest area and the smallest minor axis diameter were significantly larger in the success group (49 eyes), compared with those in the failure group (median smallest minor axis diameter: 4.7 mm vs. 3.8 mm, P = 0.008, Mann–Whitney U test). There was also a tendency for the TMH normalization rate to significantly increase as the smallest area and the smallest minor axis diameter increased (P = 0.028 and 0.037, respectively, Fisher’s 2 × 4 tests). Under multivariable logistic regression analysis using generalized estimating equation, a larger smallest minor axis diameter was associated with success of the nasolacrimal silicone intubation (odds ratio: 2.481, 95% confidence interval: 1.143–5.384).

Conclusion

Surgical success of the nasolacrimal silicone intubation in incomplete PANDO is associated with a larger smallest minor axis diameter of the bony NLD. This finding will help understand the pathophysiology of surgical failure after nasolacrimal silicone intubation.

Comparison of digital subtraction dacryocystography and dacryoendoscopy in patients with epiphora

OBJECTIVE

To assess the diagnostic information provided by digital subtraction dacryocystography (DCG) and dacryoendoscopy in patients with epiphora.

METHODS

Sixty-eight lacrimal systems of 34 patients with epiphora were prospectively studied. Patients were initially examined with syringing, followed by digital subtraction DCG and dacryoendoscopy to confirm the diagnosis. Obstructions in lacrimal pathways were evaluated by degree, location, and cause. The weighted kappa coefficient was used to compare the agreement between the tests.

RESULTS

Of the 68 lacrimal pathways, partial or complete obstructions were identified in 56 cases (82.3%) with syringing, in 38 cases (55.9%) with DCG, and in 60 cases (88.2%) with dacryoendoscopy. DCG and dacryoendoscopy showed the same result in 42 of the 68 (61.8%) lacrimal pathways. The weighted kappa value for DCG and dacryoendoscopy was 0.60 (95% CI: 0.40-0.81). The most common sites of obstruction were the common canaliculus (36.7%) and the nasolacrimal duct (28.3%) in dacryoendoscopy. Thirty-three lacrimal pathways (48.5%) were identified to have obstructions on the same level between DCG and dacryoendoscopy. Among the 30 lacrimal pathways (44.1%) that were normal by DCG, obstruction was revealed in 22 cases by dacryoendoscopy, with 11 cases in the common canaliculus. Additional useful information on the cause of obstruction and identification of multiple obstructed sites was provided by dacryoendoscopy.

CONCLUSIONS

DCG and dacryoendoscopy showed moderate agreement in detecting lacrimal pathway obstruction. Dacryoendoscopy allowed for comprehensive investigations of the lacrimal pathway and can help explain unidentified factors associated with lacrimal pathway obstruction in patients with epiphora.