Topical cyclosporin A 0.05% eye drops for management of symptomatic acquired punctal stenosis: a prospective, controlled clinical study

PURPOSE

To study the efficacy of cyclosporin 0.05% eye drops in the management of grade 1 and 2 acquired punctal stenosis and to compare the results with the clinical outcomes of mini-Monoka insertion.

METHODS

A prospective, controlled, interventional clinical study includes all patients (16 years and older) with symptomatic epiphora and diagnosed with grade 1 or grade 2 acquired punctal stenosis. All patients undergo punctal dilatation, canalicular probing, and nasolacrimal duct irrigation. Afterwards, patients are divided into two groups: Group A: patients receive only medical treatment in the form of topical 0.05% cyclosporin (Restasis®, Allergan Inc.) twice daily for 6 months. Group B: patients receive mini-Monoka stent insertion in the lower canaliculus for 6 weeks. Outcome measures are changes in Munk scoring, grading of the punctum, and functional and anatomical success. Functional success is defined as Munk score 0 to 1 and FDDT grade 0-2. Anatomical success is defined as grade 3 punctum.

RESULTS

Forty-two patients are included in the study, with 21 patients in each group. There were no significant differences in the Munk score between the two groups before treatment; however, group B had a significantly higher mean rank at 6 months after treatment. After treatment, the punctal size was significantly larger in group B at 4 weeks and 3 months. However, no significant difference in punctal size was detected at 6 months after treatment between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Application of cyclosporin 0.05% eye drops is a simple and efficient non-interventional method in the management of grade 1 and 2 acquired punctal stenosis.

Na+/I- symporter expression, function, and regulation in non-thyroidal tissues and impact on thyroid cancer therapy

For the past 80 years, radioiodine (131I) has been used to ablate thyroid tissue not removed by surgery or to treat differentiated thyroid cancer that has metastasized to other parts of the body. However, the Na+/I- symporter (NIS), which mediates active iodide uptake into thyroid follicular cells, is also expressed in several non-thyroidal tissues. This NIS expression permits 131I accumulation and radiation damage in these non-target tissues, which accounts for the adverse effects of radioiodine therapy. We will review the data regarding the expression, function, and regulation of NIS in non-thyroidal tissues and explain the seemingly paradoxical adverse effects induced by 131I, the self-limited gastrointestinal adverse effects in contrast to the permanent salivary dysfunction that is seen after 131I therapy. We propose that prospective studies are needed to uncover the time-course of pathological processes underlying development and progression or ultimate resolution of 131I-induced salivary ductal obstruction and nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Finally, preventive measures and early therapeutic interventions that can be applied potentially to eliminate or alleviate long-term radioiodine adverse effects will be discussed.

Antimetabolites as an adjunct to dacryocystorhinostomy for nasolacrimal duct obstruction

BACKGROUND

Nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) is a condition that results in the overflow of tears (epiphora) or infection of the nasolacrimal sac (dacryocystitis). The etiology of acquired NLDO is multifactorial and is not fully understood. Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is the surgical correction of NLDO, which aims to establish a new drainage pathway between the lacrimal sac and the nose. The success of DCR is variable; the most common cause of failure is fibrosis and stenosis of the surgical ostium. Antimetabolites such as mitomycin-C (MMC) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) have been shown to be safe and effective in reducing fibrosis and improving clinical outcomes in other ophthalmic surgery settings (e.g. glaucoma and cornea surgery). Application of antimetabolites at the time of DCR has been studied, but the utility of these treatments remains uncertain.

OBJECTIVES

Primary objective: To determine if adjuvant treatment with antimetabolites improves functional success in the setting of DCR compared to DCR alone. Secondary objectives: To determine if anatomic success of DCR is increased with the use of antimetabolites, and if the surgical ostium is larger in participants treated with antimetabolites.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Register for Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (which contains the Cochrane Eye and Vision Trials Register) (2019, Issue 9), Ovid MEDLINE, Embase.com, PubMed, LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature database), ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). We did not use any date or language restrictions in the electronic searches. We last searched the electronic databases on 6 September 2019.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We only included randomized controlled trials. Eligible studies were those that compared the administration of antimetabolites of any dose and concentration versus placebo or another active treatment in participants with NLDO undergoing primary DCR and reoperation. We only included studies that had enrolled adults 18 years or older. We also included studies that used silicone intubation as part of the DCR procedure.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. Two review authors independently screened the search results, assessed risk of bias, and extracted data from the included studies using an electronic data collection form.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 31 studies in the review, of which 23 (1309 participants) provided data relating to our primary and secondary outcomes. Many of the 23 studies evaluated functional success, while others also assessed our secondary outcomes of anatomic success or ostium size, or both. Study characteristics Participant characteristics varied across studies, with the age of participants ranging from 30 to 70 years. Participants were predominantly women. These demographics correspond to those most frequently affected by nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Almost all of the studies utilized MMC as the antimetabolite, with only one using 5-FU. We assessed most trials as at unclear risk of bias for most domains. Conflicts of interest were not frequently reported, although the antimetabolites used are generic medications, and studies were not likely to be conducted for financial interest. Findings Twenty studies provided data on the primary outcome of functional success, of which 7 (356 participants) provided data at 6 months and 14 (909 participants) provided data beyond 6 months. At six months, the results showed no evidence of effect of antimetabolite on functional success (risk ratio (RR) 1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.98 to 1.29; low-certainty evidence). Beyond six months, the results favored the antimetabolite group (RR 1.15, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.25; moderate-certainty evidence). Fourteen studies reported data on the secondary outcome of anatomic success, of which 4 (306 participants) reported data at 6 months and 12 (831 participants) provided data beyond 6 months. Results at six months showed no evidence of effect of antimetabolite on anatomic success (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.11; low-certainty evidence). Beyond six months, participants in the antimetabolite group were more likely to achieve anatomic success than those receiving DCR alone (RR 1.09, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.15; moderate-certainty evidence). At six months and beyond six months follow-up, two studies reported mean change in ostium size. We did not conduct meta-analysis for the various follow-up periods due to clinical, methodological, and statistical heterogeneity. However, point estimates from these studies at six months consistently favored participants in the antimetabolite group (low-certainty evidence). Beyond six months, while point estimates from one study favored participants in the antimetabolite group, estimates from another study showed no evidence of a difference between the two groups. The certainty of evidence at both time points was low. Adverse events Adverse events were rare. One study reported that one participant in the MMC group experienced delayed wound healing. Other studies reported no significant adverse events related to the application of antimetabolites.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is moderate-certainty evidence that application of antimetabolites at the time of DCR increases functional and anatomic success of DCR when patients are followed for more than six months after surgery, but no evidence of a difference at six months, low-certainty of evidence. There is low-certainty evidence that combining antimetabolite with DCR increases the size of the lacrimal ostium at six months. However, beyond six months, the evidence remain uncertain. Adverse effects of the application of antimetabolites were minimal.

Intervention using a novel biodegradable hollow stent containing polylactic acid-polyprolactone-polyethylene glycol complexes against lacrimal duct obstruction disease

Lacrimal duct obstruction disease (LDOD) is a common ophthalmologic disease. Stent implantation surgery is one of the most effective therapies. In this study, we intended to find out the satisfactory biodegradable stents containing poly-L-lactic acid-polycaprolactone-polyethylene glycol (PLLA- PCL- PEG) complexes for therapeutic application in LDOD. Stents made of PLLA- PCL- PEG complexes in various ratios, were prepared and used in vitro to determine stents with appropriate mechanical properties and shorter range of bio-degradation for study in vivo. Thirty-two rabbits were randomized into eight groups of four eyes each in advance for test in vivo. The selected stents were implanted into the left lacrimal ducts of 16 rabbits and silica gel stents as the control for the other 16 rabbits. At four points in time (1, 4, 10 and 16 weeks after the implantation), weight loss rate (WLR) of the stents was measured and analysed. To access the change of lacrimal duct, fluorescein excretion test, lacrimal duct endoscopy and histopathological testing were conducted. The stent containing PLLA: PCL6: 4+ 15%PEG was selected for study in vivo. Analysis of weight loss rate (WLR), fluorescein excretion test, lacrimal duct endoscopy and histopathological testing indicated that the selected stent was biodegradable and caused minimal stimulation and earlier tissue restoration in the lacrimal epithelium compared with the silica gel stent used as the control. The study results suggest that the PLLA: PCL6: 4+ 15% PEG stent is a satisfactory biodegradable stent as a promising alternative for therapeutic application in LDOD, which showed tissue compatibility, biodegradation and adequate mechanical intensity.

[A case of lacrimal duct obstruction caused by capecitabine]

In recent years, the incidence of adverse ocular reactions, including corneal problems and lacrimal duct obstruction, due to antineoplastic agents such as S-1 has increased. Very few reports of adverse ocular reactions caused by capecitabine, a fluorinated pyrimidine antineoplastic agent like S-1, exist, and consequently, the mechanism underlying these reactions is not well understood. This report describes our recent experience with a case of lacrimal duct obstruction caused by capecitabine. The patient was a 71-year-old woman who was being administered trastuzumab plus capecitabine combination chemotherapy for breast cancer-related bone metastasis. She complained of epiphora 7 days after capecitabine was initiated. Thereafter, her capecitabine dose was reduced owing to exacerbation of hand-foot syndrome, but the epiphora persisted. Capecitabine was discontinued 287 days after initiation owing to exacerbation of the hand-foot syndrome. However, because the epiphora persisted, the patient visited the ophthalmology department. The ophthalmologist diagnosed the patient with binocular nasolacrimal duct obstruction and cataract, and prescribed a 0.3% gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution and 0.1% fluorometholone ophthalmic suspension. Thereafter, the epiphora reduced. When the patient returned to the ophthalmology department, symptom improvement was confirmed. In this case, lacrimal duct obstruction likely developed due to capecitabine. The symptoms were reversible with discontinuation of capecitabine and ophthalmic treatment. We believe that reporting this case could be valuable in discussing capecitabine-induced lacrimal duct obstruction.

Botulinum toxin injection into the lacrimal gland for treatment of proximal nasolacrimal duct obstructions in children

The authors retrospectively evaluated the use of botulinum toxin injections to treat epiphora in children secondary to proximal obstruction of the nasolacrimal drainage system. Three patients (ages 8, 9, and 16 years) received botulinum toxin injections in the palpebral portion of the lacrimal gland. Two patients experienced symptomatic relief immediately following botulinum toxin injection. Both required subsequent injections, with an average symptomatic relief lasting 7 months. The only noted side effect was papillary conjunctivitis in one patient that resolved without treatment. The third patient was lost to follow-up. Although conjunctival dacryocystorhinostomy with Jones tube is the surgical procedure of choice for treating proximal lacrimal system obstruction, complication rates in children are high. Botulinum toxin injections provide a safe and effective alternative.

Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy with adjunctive mitomycin C for canalicular obstruction

PURPOSE

To report our experience in treating distal and common canalicular obstruction by trephination followed by topical low-dose mitomycin C (0.03%) and silicone intubation during endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).

METHODS

Noncomparative interventional case series of five eyes of five patients with epiphora and clinical evidence of distal or common canalicular obstruction. Only patients with canalicular obstruction at a distance of at least 7 mm distance from the punctum were offered this treatment. Treatment consisted of DCR and trephination under transnasal endoscopic view followed by topical mitomycin C. The major outcome was defined by the patients' subjective assessment of improvement and by objective evaluation of patency by endoscopic examination of the internal ostium, and the passage of fluorescein to the nose (Jones 1).

RESULTS

Four patients were symptom free, and Jones 1 positive after a mean follow-up period of 15.4 months. One patient had recurrence of her distal canalicular narrowing and needed a Jones tube. No adverse reactions or complaints were reported during and following mitomycin C use.

CONCLUSIONS

Trephination of distal or common canalicular obstruction under endoscopic vision and adjunctive topical Mitomycin C should be considered as a possible viable approach to an external approach canaliculodacryocystorhinostomy.

Efficacy of mitomycin C irrigation after removal of an occluded nasolacrimal stent

PURPOSE

Mitomycin C (MMC) acts as a potent fibroblastic inhibitor, and topical application of MMC is effective in preventing scar formation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MMC irrigation after removal of an occluded nasolacrimal stent from the lacrimal system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 57 lacrimal systems after removal of an occluded stent were assigned to one of two groups: 23 lacrimal systems were irrigated with MMC after stent removal (MMC group), and 34 lacrimal systems were not irrigated with MMC after stent removal (non-MMC group). In the MMC group, the lacrimal systems were irrigated with 0.2 mg/mL MMC through the inferior lacrimal punctum for 3 minutes in three different sessions: immediately, 1 week, and 1 month after stent removal. The mean and cumulative patency rates after stent removal were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and were compared between the two groups using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

Stent removal and MMC irrigation were technically successful in all lacrimal systems. There were no side effects or complications associated with MMC use. The mean patency rate after stent removal was higher in the MMC group than that of the non-MMC group: 10.5 months (95% CI: 7.04, 13.91) versus 4.5 months (95% CI: 2.40, 6.63), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the cumulative patency rates after stent removal between the two groups (P = .005, log-rank test).

CONCLUSIONS

Mitomycin C irrigation is safe and effective in increasing patency rate of lacrimal systems after removal of an occluded nasolacrimal stent.

Efficacy of mitomycin-C irrigation after balloon dacryocystoplasty

PURPOSE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of mitomycin-C irrigation after balloon dacryocystoplasty in the treatment of epiphora caused by obstruction of the lacrimal system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-five lacrimal systems in 33 patients with obstruction of the lacrimal system were assigned to one of two groups: 17 lacrimal systems were irrigated with mitomycin-C after balloon dacryocystoplasty (mytomycin-C group), and 18 were not irrigated with mitomycin-C after balloon dacryocystoplasty (non-mitomycin-C group). In the mitomycin-C group, the lacrimal systems were irrigated with 0.2 mg/mL mitomycin-C via the inferior lacrimal punctum in three different sessions: immediately, 1 week, and 1 month after balloon dacryocystoplasty. The cumulative patency rates after balloon dacryocystoplasty were calculated by using the Kaplan-Meier method and were compared between the two groups with use of the log-rank test.

RESULTS

Balloon dacryocystoplasty and subsequent mitomycin-C irrigation were technically successful in all lacrimal systems. There were no side effects or complications associated with mitomycin-C use. The cumulative patency rate in the mitomycin-C group was significantly higher than that in the non-mitomycin-C group after balloon dacryocystoplasty (P = .0150, log-rank test).

CONCLUSIONS

Mitomycin-C irrigation is safe and effective in increasing the patency rate of the lacrimal system after balloon dacryocystoplasty.

Use of the Diode Laser With Intraoperative Mitomycin C in Endocanalicular Laser Dacryocystorhinostomy

PURPOSE

To determine the safety and efficacy of the diode laser with intraoperative mitomycin C in endocanalicular laser dacryocystorhinostomy (ECL-DCR).

METHODS

In a prospective case series of 40 ECL-DCRs using the diode laser, mitomycin C was placed intraoperatively in all cases. The main outcome measure was resolution or improvement of epiphora and no major laser damage intranasally. Patients were followed for at least 18 months.

RESULTS

Forty consecutive ECL-DCRs on 30 patients (23 females, 7 males, mean age 62 years) were performed from April 2000 to December 2001. The success rate at 12 months postoperatively was 87.5%. All failures were due to a constricted nasal osteotomy. No significant intraoperative or postoperative complications were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

Diode laser ECL-DCR with mitomycin C appears to be a safe and effective treatment modality for primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Effect of mitomycin C on ostium in dacryocystorhinostomy

BACKGROUND

To observe the effect of intraoperative mitomycin C of varying concentration on postoperative ostium size after external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).

METHODS

In this prospective controlled study, 60 cases of DCR were taken up irrespective of age and sex. Cases were divided into three groups. Group 1 was taken as a control group and operated without mitomycin C; in experimental group 2 and group 3, mitomycin C at a concentration of 0.05 mg/mL and 0.4 mg/mL was applied, respectively, for 2 min. Each group consisted of 20 cases. Half of the cases in each group underwent single-flap DCR (SFDCR) and half underwent double-flap DCR (DFDCR) surgery. Nasal endoscopic evaluation was performed on the first postoperative day, at 2 weeks and at 6 months after surgery. A Student's t-test was used to compare the osteotomy size of each group.

RESULTS

At the end of the final follow up, average size of the ostium in group 1 was 3.6+/-2.36 mm2 in SFDCR and 4.5+/-3.59 mm2 in DFDCR, in group 2 was 4.8+/-4.82 mm2 in SFDCR and 4.9+/-4.12 mm2 in DFDCR, and in group 3 was 16.6+/-6.80 mm2 in SFDCR and 17.5+/-9.07 mm2 in DFDCR. The ostium size in group 3 was found to be significantly bigger in comparison with group 1 (P=0.0001 in SFDCR, P=0.001 in DFDCR) and with group 2 (P=0.0009 in SFDCR, P=0.001 in DFDCR). No statistically significant difference of ostium size was found in SFDCR and DFDCR.

CONCLUSION

Mitomycin C in appropriate dose minimizes postoperative fibrosis and granulations, thereby maintaining a bigger postoperative ostium throughout the postoperative observation period.

Results of the application of intraoperative mitomycin C in dacryocystorhinostomy

PURPOSE

Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is widely accepted as the procedure of choice for surgical correction of lacrimal drainage system obstruction distal to common canaliculus in adulthood. The success rate of DCR has been reported to be from 63% to 99%. DCR failure has been attributed to membranous occlusion of the rhinostomy site caused by soft tissue scarring. More recently, use of mitomycin C (MMC) has been described in lacrimal drainage surgery. The beneficial effect of MMC as a surgical adjunct is thought to be related to its potent inhibition of fibroblast proliferation.

METHODS

To improve the success rate of DCR, the authors used MMC as an adjunct to surgery in 130 patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction undergoing lacrimal surgery. They were assigned randomly into a MMC DCR group and a regular DCR group (control group).

RESULTS

The mean age of the MMC group was 40+/-15 years and that of the control group was 42+/-16 years. The standard surgical techniques of an external DCR were used in all patients of both groups. Patients were followed for 6 months. The authors evaluated the patients with subjective symptoms (improvement in tearing) and objective findings such as the height of tear meniscus, fluorescein dye test, and patency at the time of irrigation. There was no significant difference in the age between the two groups (p=1.00). Six patients in the mitomycin group were symptomatic after 6 months' follow-up; probe and irrigation showed non-patency of lacrimal system. The success rate in the MMC group was therefore 90.5% (59/65), and in the conventional group it was 92.4% (60/65). No significant difference between the two groups was present (p=0.75).

CONCLUSIONS

The authors conclude that the use of intraoperative MMC in DCR surgery does not change the success rate of this procedure.

Intraoperative fluorouracil in endonasal laser dacryocystorhinostomy

BACKGROUND

Although endonasal laser dacryocystorhinostomy (ELDCR) offers many advantages compared with conventional techniques, postoperative scarring leading to occlusion of the rhinostomy is more common with ELDCR.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether fluorouracil applied to the rhinostomy site intraoperatively has an effect on the outcome.

PARTICIPANTS

We randomly allocated 155 consecutive patients (201 procedures) to a control group and a fluorouracil group. Patients and investigators were masked to the choice of treatment.

METHODS

All patients underwent ELDCR. A pledget soaked in isotonic sodium chloride solution or 0.5-mg/mL fluorouracil, randomly allocated by the pharmacy, was applied to the rhinostomy site for 5 minutes at the time of surgery. Patients were followed up for 12 months and their symptoms were assessed at each visit.

RESULTS

Among patients followed up for 12 months or longer, ELDCR procedures performed with topical application of fluorouracil to the rhinostomy site were successful in 65 (76%), compared with 52 (63%) for the control group. This was not statistically significant when patients who failed to attend follow-up at or after 12 months were not counted as successfully treated (P =.21, chi(2) test). Even if those who failed to attend for follow-up were counted as successes, the effect of fluorouracil did not reach significance at the.05 level (P =.08, chi(2) test).

CONCLUSION

The topical application of fluorouracil failed to increase the patency rates in ELDCR.

Mitomycin C as adjunct therapy in correcting punctal stenosis

PURPOSE

To assess the efficacy of intraoperative mitomycin C in improving the success rate of the posterior punctectomy procedure.

METHODS

The charts of all patients who underwent posterior punctectomy between the years 1997 and 2000 were reviewed. The procedure was done without mitomycin C (n = 26 eyes, group A) until the end of 1998 and with mitomycin C (n = 25 eyes, group B) starting in 1999. The Kaplan-Meier curve was used for statistical evaluation.

RESULTS

In group A, 5 of 26 (19.2%) eyes had complete anatomic obstruction and scarring of their puncta after surgery, compared with 0 of 25 (0.0%) eyes in group B. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.02). No significant complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Mitomycin C appears to be a safe and effective adjunct therapy in correcting punctal stenosis.

Efficacy of probing the nasolacrimal duct with adjunctive Mitomycin-C for epiphora in adults

PURPOSE

To investigate the efficacy and safety of adjunctive low-dose mitomycin-C during lacrimal probing for adults with blocked nasolacrimal ducts.

DESIGN

Prospective, noncomparative, interventional case series.

PARTICIPANTS

From January 1998 to December 2000, a total of 32 adult patients (36 eyes) seen with epiphora caused by primary nasolacrimal duct obstruction was treated and evaluated.

INTERVENTION

Lacrimal probing with adjunctive mitomycin-C (0.2 mg/ml).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Objective evaluation of patency with irrigation, as well as patients' subjective assessment of improvement.

RESULTS

For 32 of the treated eyes (89%), the nasolacrimal duct remained open 9 months after treatment. Repeat procedure was successful for two of the remaining four eyes with recurrent obstruction during follow-up, yielding an overall patency rate of 94%. Patient satisfaction was assessed after 9 months and indicated that the epiphora was at least mildly improved for 30 (83%) of the treated eyes. Watering was completely absent for nine eyes (25%), rated as moderately improved for 17 (47%), and mildly improved for 4 (11%). No complications were encountered over the 9-month follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experience suggests good long-term results for probing with adjunctive, topical Mitomycin-C for cases of adult epiphora caused by obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct followed by repeat procedure if necessary. It can be recommended as a simple, effective, and minimally invasive technique, with no significant complications resulting from low-dose use in our study.

Bacteriology and antibiotic therapy in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction

AIMS

To determine the current bacteriology of mucopurulent discharge in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNDO), the in vitro response to different antibiotics and clinical effectiveness of the antibiotics used to relieve babies from mucopurulent discharge.

METHODS

A clinical study evaluated the effectiveness of local antibiotic agents clinically and in vitro. 50 samples were obtained from the lacrimal sac in 47 young children with CNDO. The patients' mean age was 21.45 +/- 17.09 months. The cultures were incubated and the infectious agents isolated. Sensitivity testing was performed in each case, testing 10 different local antibiotics. A control group of 10 babies expected for cataract surgery was constituted.

RESULTS

Cultures were positive for bacteria from 72.64% of the samples. 73 isolates were recovered from the 50 samples. The bacterial species most frequently cultured was Streptococcus pneumoniae, representing 35.4% of the isolates, followed by Haemophilus influencae (19.6%). The sensitivity testing revealed ofloxacin and tetracycline to be the most effective drugs as monotherapy. Clinically the combination of bacitracin and neomycin, primarily used in half of the patients as initial therapy, was successful in curing the dacryocystitis in 82.5% of all patients.

CONCLUSION

Chronic dacryocystitis due to CNDO is associated with an equal proportion of Gram positive and negative bacteria, which can be treated with a high effectiveness by a combination drug of bacitracin and neomycin.

The safety and efficacy of mitomycin C in endonasal endoscopic laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy

PURPOSE

The adjunctive use of mitomycin C (MMC) in glaucoma and pterygium surgery has been widely published, but there has not been any large long-term study of its use in endonasal endoscopic laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy (ELA-DCR). The purpose of this study was to examine the safety and efficacy of the adjunctive use of MMC in this procedure.

METHODS

A nonrandomized, retrospective, single-masked, interventional case-controlled study was performed wherein 123 consecutive procedures using MMC in ELA-DCR procedures, using the Holmium:YAG laser, were compared with a historical control group consisting of 48 consecutive procedures in which MMC was not used. One surgeon performed all procedures. The two groups were compared with regard to complications as well as success rate. The main outcome measures for success were the resolution of epiphora and patency with lacrimal irrigation. Success rates were analyzed using the Fisher's exact test. The main outcome determinants for complications were the presence or absence of delayed wound healing, wound necrosis, infection, or excessive bleeding. Postoperative follow-up interval ranged from 30 months to 72 months.

RESULTS

There were no complications in the group receiving MMC. One case of turbino-septal synechia formation occurred in the non-MMC group. The success rate of the MMC group was 99.2% compared with 89.6% in the control group. This difference (9.6%) was statistically significant using Fisher's exact test (p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

This study supports the safety and efficacy of the intraoperative use of MMC in endonasal ELA-DCR.

Oral and topical antibiotic therapy of complete, primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction in adults

PURPOSE

To determine whether patients with complete, acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction may be treated with broad spectrum oral antibiotics and office lacrimal irrigation.

METHODS

In a retrospective review, patients with complete, primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) were divided by predominant symptoms and signs into two main groups: (a) those with tearing and/or mucous discharge and (b) those with previous acute dacryocystitis and/or lacrimal sac mucocele. All patients received a therapeutic trial of oral and topical antibiotics followed by lacrimal irrigation.

RESULTS

Five of 55 patients with tearing and/or mucous discharge showed significant improvement after treatment with a mean follow-up of 16.5 months. A sixth patient with mucous and tearing had resolution of the mucous discharge but persistent tearing and blockage of the nasolacrimal system to irrigation. Two of 20 patients with lacrimal sac mucocele or history of acute dacryocystitis avoided surgery while 18 opted for early lacrimal surgical intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Conservative management of complete acquired NLDO consisting of oral and topical antibiotics and appropriately timed office lacrimal drainage system irrigation may be considered in selected patients.

Lacrimal canaliculitis

Lacrimal canaliculitis is an infection of the lacrimal duct system. The classic features of lacrimal canaliculitis are mild to severe swelling of the canaliculus, mucopurulent discharge from the punctum, and a red, pouting punctum. Canaliculotomy with systemic or topical antibiotics is the most appropriate treatment for this disorder.

Use of mitomycin C in repeat dacryocystorhinostomy

PURPOSE

The usefulness of a single intraoperative application of mitomycin C was investigated in repeat dacryocystorhinostomy for membranous failure.

METHODS

Mitomycin C (0.3 mg/ml for 3 minutes) was topically applied to the fistula site in eight patients undergoing repeat dacryocystorhinostomy for membranous failure.

RESULTS

All patients remain asymptomatic and anatomic patency confirmed by probe and irrigation with a mean follow-up period of 14.6 months (range, 6-26 months). No postoperative complications associated with the use of mitomycin C were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients who do not maintain a patent fistula after dacryocystorhinostomy because of membranous occlusion of the rhinostomy site, the adjunctive use of mitomycin C may increase the success rate of repeat dacryocystorhinostomy.

Histopathologic effects of mitomycin-C on endoscopic transnasal dacryocystorhinostomy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The antimetabolite mitomycin-C is now being used in endoscopic transnasal dacryocystorhinostomies to prevent the closure of osteotomies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A 0.5-mg/ml solution of mitomycin-C was applied to the osteotomy site for 2 1/2 minutes intraoperatively. Specimens from four patients were collected during surgery and at 15 days, 1 months, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. The specimens were examined under light and electron transmission microscopy and were compared with control specimens.

RESULTS

Light microscopy showed attenuated epithelium with intracytoplasmic vacuoles. Subepithelial connective tissue was looser and hypocellular. Electron microscopy confirmed these findings and demonstrated swelling of mitochondria, dilatation of endoplasmic reticulum, and chromatin-dense granules in nuclei of fibroblasts.

CONCLUSION

By causing a decrease in density and cellularity of mucosa, topical use of mitomycin-C may enhance the success of surgery; however, further studies are necessary to determine the ultimate potential of this agent for this procedure.

Dacryocystorhinostomy with intraoperative mitomycin C

PURPOSE

To observe the effect of intraoperative mitomycin C on the size of the osteotomy site after dacryocystorhinostomy.:

METHODS

A total of 15 eyes of 14 patients diagnosed with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction were assigned randomly to either a mitomycin C group or a control group. The surgical procedures in both groups were exactly the same, except that in the patients in the mitomycin C group, a piece of neurosurgical cottonoid soaked with 0.2 mg/ml mitomycin C was applied to the osteotomy site and then after 30 minutes was removed transnasally. Nasoendoscopic findings were recorded at the completion of the surgery and at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery for the two groups. A computer-aided digitizer was used to calculate the surface area of the osteotomy site, and a Student's t test was used to compare the difference between the two groups.

RESULTS

All patients in the mitomycin C group remained symptom free after removal of their silicone tube (100% success), and there was one patient in the control group who had recurrent epiphora (87.5% success). Septo-osteotomy adhesion was found in two patients in the control group (25%), but there was no such adhesion found in the patients in the mitomycin C group. In the mitomycin C group, the average final surface area of the osteotomy at the end of the sixth postoperative month was 27.10 +/- 5.78 mm2, whereas that of the control group was only 10.83 +/- 3.37 mm2. Although the immediate postoperative surface area of the osteotomy showed no significant difference between the two groups, a statistically significant difference was noted at 6 months.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative mitomycin C is effective in maintaining a larger osteotomy size. This modification may possibly improve success rates over the traditional dacryocystorhinostomy procedure.

[Actinomycetes canaliculitis--case reports]

Canaliculitis is a relatively rare dacryocanal infection which occurs most unilateral. It can easily be misinterpreted and not sufficiently treated. Typical agents of the canaliculitis are actinomyces, that can cause infections of the hollow spaces with formation of concrements. The clinical courses of two patients are shown. One of them was treated for a dacryocystitis for 3 years and the other one had been referred to the eye hospital for chalazion removal. Only a microbiologic examination including cultivation of the surgically obtained dacryolithes and secretion enabled us to a reliable proof of the actinomyces and to an appropriate therapy for canaliculitis.

Mitomycin as adjunct therapy in correcting iatrogenic punctal stenosis

A 52-year-old woman developed persistent epiphora in her left eye after undergoing occlusion of the left puncta. Two attempts to reopen the puncta with a one-snip procedure and placement of punctal silicone plugs failed. The epiphora resolved and the puncta remained patent after the patient underwent a third one-snip procedure, supplemented with topical mitomycin during and after surgery.

Conservative management of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction

Fifty-nine children 1 to 24 months of age with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNDO) were treated with local hydrostatic massage and antibiotic eye drops. Children 1 to 12 months of age showed a cure rate of 93.3%; only two of them underwent nasolacrimal probing. Children 13 to 24 months of age had a cure rate of 79.3%, and six underwent probing. The initial probings were successful in both age groups. Fifty-one children (86.4%) were thus spared nasolacrimal probing.

Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis and lacrimal excretory system obstruction

Epiphora is a common symptom associated with the acute phase of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC). Reflex lacrimal secretion occurs secondary to conjunctival or corneal inflammation. Acquired obstruction of the lacrimal excretory system may account for persistence of tearing after resolution of the acute inflammatory phase of the viral infection. Three cases of lacrimal excretory system obstruction after EKC are reported. Multifocal obstruction of the canaliculi and nasolacrimal duct is characteristic. Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) was required to relieve obstruction in all cases. Probing and corticosteroid irrigation may avoid the need for silicone intubation or conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy in the management of canalicular obstruction. Persistent epiphora after EKC should raise clinical suspicion of acquired dacryostenosis. Early recognition may allow for optimal management.

Allergic lacrimal obstruction

Five patients with ocular allergy and intermittent epiphora had a temporary obstruction at the level of the lacrimal sac or canaliculus. The obstruction probably resulted from mucosal edema induced by rubbing the pruritic periocular tissues, a maneuver commonly performed by such patients. Treatment was aimed at inhibiting the allergic response with cromolyn sodium eyedrops, and patients were instructed to refrain from rubbing the periocular tissues.

Medical management of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction

Fifty-five infants were diagnosed to have nasolacrimal duct obstruction by an ophthalmologist prior to three months of age. All were followed prospectively, primarily with medical management. Seven were treated surgically. In the 55 infants, there were 62 obstructed nasolacrimal ducts. Eighty-nine percent (55/62) of the nasolacrimal ducts were opened with medical management only in the first sixteen months of life. Of the nasolacrimal ducts that opened spontaneously, 15% (8/55) were open at three months, 45% (25/55) were open at six months, 71% (39/55) were open at nine months, and 93% (51/55) were open at one year. Based on this data one can advise the parents of infants with nasolacrimal duction what the odds of remission are without surgery by the twelfth month of age. Of the infants obstructed at three months of age, 80% were clear by the twelfth month. Of the infants obstructed at six months, 70% were clear by the twelfth month and of those still obstructed at nine months, 52% were clear by the twelfth month.

Optic atrophy after irrigation of the lacrimal ducts with chloramphenicol

A case is presented of permanent visual loss and optic atrophy following irrigation of the lower canaliculus after probing, with a 20% solution of chloramphenicol. A false passage had apparently been created allowing the solution to gain access to the orbital tissues. The ensuing orbital edema probably caused a central retinal artery occlusion. This is a previously unreported complication of a common ophthalmologic procedure.

[Recurring, infiltrative and destructive lipo-granuloma of the lid following treatment of relative stenosis of the lower canaliculus (author's transl)]

The application of fat-containing ointment to the horizontal part of the lower canaliculus produced within 12 weeks a rapidly growing Lipoid-Granuloma of the whole lower lid. A recurrence shortly after surgical removal of the tumor necessitated surgical reconstruction of the lid.