Clinical characteristics and cytological changes in mucinous obstruction diagnosed by dacryoendoscopy.

To analyze the clinical characteristics of mucinous obstruction diagnosed by dacryoendoscopy and compared the cytological changes with membranous obstruction using a modified liquid-based thin prep cytology method. A retrospective chart review was conducted on 53 eyes of 51 patients with mucus obstruction based on dacryoendoscopic findings from January 2022 to October 2022. Liquid-based thin-prep cytology was performed by irrigating the inside of the nasolacrimal drainage system with saline during dacryoendoscopy-guided silicone tube intubation. Pathological findings were analyzed through a comparison of mucinous obstruction with membranous obstruction as determined by dacryoendoscopic findings. The modified liquid-based thin prep cytology technique had a higher cytology detection rate across all cases. Mucinous obstruction exhibited a significantly higher number of successful canalicular irrigation test cases compared to membranous obstruction. In mucinous obstruction, epithelial squamous cells were more frequently detected in pre-sac obstruction, whereas columnar epithelial cells were predominant in post-sac obstruction. Inflammatory cells showed a stronger correlation with primary change and post-sac obstruction. Bacterial colonies were observed exclusively in cases of mucinous obstruction. The use of a modified liquid-based thin prep cytology method enables the examination of histopathological changes in the lacrimal passage in primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO), particularly in cases of mucinous obstruction, without the need for invasive biopsies. These findings enhance the understanding of the etiopathogenesis of mucinous obstruction, complementing knowledge of membranous obstruction in PANDO.

Caruncle and plica hypertrophy causing mechanical secondary acquired lacrimal duct obstruction: - SALDO update study (SUP) - paper I.

PURPOSE: To exclusively report the clinical category of mechanical secondary acquired lacrimal duct obstruction (SALDO) secondary to the caruncle and plica hypertrophy. METHODS: Prospective interventional case series involving 10 consecutive eyes with megalocaruncle and plica hypertrophy were enrolled in the study. All patients presented with epiphora secondary to a demonstratable mechanical obstruction of the puncta. All patients underwent high magnification slit-lamp photography and Fourier-domain ocular coherence tomography scans (FD-OCT) of the tear meniscus height (TMH) pre- and post-operatively at 1-month and 3-months. Caruncle and plica size, position, and their relationship to the puncta were noted. All patients underwent partial carunculectomy. Primary outcome measures were demonstrable resolution of the mechanical obstruction of the puncta and the reduction in the tear meniscus height. The secondary outcome measure was the subjective improvement of the epiphora. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 67 years (range: 63-72 years). The average TMH was 843.1 (range: 345-2049) microns pre-operatively and 195.1(91-379) microns at 1-month follow-up. All patients reported significant subjective improvement in epiphora at 6-months follow-up. One patient had bilateral granuloma at the surgical site at two weeks and was managed by simple excision and topical tapering steroids. Histopathology revealed hyperplastic epithelium with goblet cells with chronic inflammatory cells in the sub-epithelial region and the stroma. CONCLUSION: The role of the caruncle in the causation of mechanical SALDO needs to be carefully assessed in patients beyond the sixth decade. Excellent objective and subjective outcomes can be achieved by a partial carunculectomy and plica semilunaris excision.

Evaluation of epiphora by topical contrast-enhanced CT and MR dacryocystography: which one to choose?

BACKGROUND: Our study aims to compare non-invasive imaging such as topical computed tomography dacryocystography (CTD) and topical magnetic resonance dacryocystography (MRD) in patients with epiphora. PURPOSE: To evaluate the practicability of topical contrast media during helical CTD and topical saline during MRD to reveal obstruction in the nasolacrimal drainage system (NLDS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty participants with nasolacrimal duct obstruction were observed for two years. Ten participants underwent CTD and the other 10 participants underwent MRD. Images were analyzed by two radiologists. Participants were also asked about the level of discomfort of the contrast material versus the saline solution. RESULTS: The NLDS was seen on both CTD and MRD. Very good agreement between the two observers (κ value > 0.81) was seen according to the κ statistics. CTD multiplanar and 3D images allowed for precise diagnosis of the point of obstruction whereas, the MRD did not require any contrast material and showed the point of obstruction. Saline was more comfortable for the patients than topical contrast (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Topical CTD and MRD are non-invasive techniques that can visualize the degree and level of obstruction in the NLDS than conventional invasive cannulation dacryocystography. CTD is useful in visualizing the point of obstruction and smaller drainage structures. However, it is a source of ionizing radiation to the lens. The benefit of MRD is that it requires no contrast or radiation; however, it is poor in depicting the bone anatomy and smaller drainage structures. Finally, saline was better tolerated by patients than topical contrast.

Blood-stained tears-a red flag for malignancy?

BACKGROUND: Blood-stained tears can indicate occult malignancy of the lacrimal drainage apparatus. This study reviews data on patients presenting with blood in their tears and the underlying cause for this rare symptom. METHODS: Patients presenting with blood in their tears, identified over a 20-year period, were retrospectively collected from a single tertiary ophthalmic hospital's database and analysed. RESULTS: 51 patients were identified, the majority female (58%) with a mean age of 55 years. Most cases were unilateral (96%) with blood originating from the nasolacrimal drainage system in 53%. The most common diagnosis for blood-stained tears was a lacrimal sac mucocele (n = 16) followed by a conjunctival vascular lesion (n = 4). Three patients had systemic haematological disorders. The rate of malignancy was 8% (n = 4), with 2 patients having lacrimal sac transitional cell carcinomas, one with a lacrimal sac plasmacytoma and the other with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and bilateral orbital infiltration (with bilateral bloody tears). One patient had a lacrimal sac inverted papilloma, a premalignant lesion. Four patients had benign papillomas (of the lacrimal sac, conjunctiva and caruncle). CONCLUSION: Haemolacria was a red flag for malignancy in 8% of patients (and tumours in 18% of patients). A thorough clinical examination including lid eversion identified a conjunctival, caruncle, eyelid or canalicular cause in 27% of cases.

Clinical outcome and quality of life of lacrimal sac mucocele treated via endoscopic posterior approach.

OBJECTIVE: Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is the surgical treatment for lacrimal sac mucoceles (LSM), yet variants of the procedure are several. Since LSM causes bone remodeling and thinning, especially of the lacrimal bone, osteotomy at that site is reasonably the easiest. The aim of the study is to support treatment of LSM via a posterior DCR approach, in a large cohort of cases, and report patients' quality of life after the procedure with validated questionnaires. METHODS: Single-center observational retrospective study on a specific methodology (endoscopic-DCR via posterior approach). Consecutive patients with LSM were enrolled in 2008-2020; CT scans were reviewed, bone thickness was measured bilaterally and compared. Resolution of mucocele, epiphora and infection were analyzed after 6-months. Patients were administered the Munk Score and Lacrimal Symptom Questionnaire (Lac-Q). Statistical analysis was done to compare bone thickness between the two sides; descriptive analysis of the questionnaires results was presented. RESULTS: Forty-four patients with LSM were enrolled. The LSM side showed frontal process thickness of 4.00 ± 1.06 mm (vs 3.90 ± 1.03 on the unaffected side; p = 0.23) and a lacrimal bone of 0.32 ± 0.12 mm (vs 0.41 ± 0.12; p < 0.001). Resolution of infection was achieved in 97.4% cases, anatomical patency in 87.2%. After 5 years, 84.6% of patients reported no relevant epiphora (Munk score 0-1). Social impact (Lac-Q) due to lacrimal malfunctioning was still noted in 30.8% patients. CONCLUSIONS: Adult LSM is a rare condition and DCR remains the mainstay of treatment. LSM physiopathology may support a preferred surgical choice via a posterior approach. Despite objective patency, some lacrimal way malfunctioning may be experienced in a minority of cases.

Biallelic CDK9 variants as a cause of a new multiple-malformation syndrome with retinal dystrophy mimicking the CHARGE syndrome.

CDK9 has been considered a candidate gene involved in the CHARGE-like syndrome in a pair of cousins. We report an 8-year-old boy with a strikingly similar phenotype including facial asymmetry, microtia with preauricular tags and bilateral hearing loss, cleft lip and palate, cardiac dysrhythmia, and undescended testes. Joint contracture, no finger flexion creases, and large halluces were the same as those of a previously reported patient with homozygous CDK9 variants. The ocular phenotype included blepharophimosis, lacrimal duct obstruction, eyelid dermoids, Duane syndrome-like abduction deficit, and congenital cataracts. Optical coherence tomography and electroretinography evaluations revealed severe retinal dystrophy had developed at an early age. Trio-based whole-exome sequencing identified compound heterozygous variants in CDK9 [p.(A288T) of maternal origin and p.(R303C) of paternal origin] in the patient. Variants' kinase activities were reduced compared with wild type. We concluded that CDK9 biallelic variants cause a CHARGE-like malformation syndrome with retinal dystrophy as a distinguishing feature.

Lacrimal Fossa Bony Changes in Chronic Primary Acquired Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction and Acute Dacryocystitis.

PURPOSE: This study aims to assess the bony lacrimal fossa changes in chronic cases of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction versus acute dacryocystitis. METHODS: A prospective study was performed on 25 bony lacrimal fossae of 25 eyes of 15 patients who underwent endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy at a tertiary care Dacryology service over a period of 6 months. Ten patients with chronic PANDO (> 1 year) with bilateral involvement and five patients of unilateral acute dacryocystitis were recruited in the study. None of the patients had a history of trauma or previous surgeries or nasal disease in the past. The bone samples from the frontal process of the maxilla and the lacrimal bone were obtained during the osteotomy and subjected to routine histopathological examination. Special stains used were von Kossa, Masson trichrome, periodic acid Schiff, and Alcian blue. Immunohistochemistry was performed using CD68 antibodies. Patient demographics, clinical presentation, duration of the disease, and bony changes were analyzed in different patient subsets. RESULTS: The mean disease duration in the chronic PANDO subset was 3.1 years, whereas acute dacryocystitis was 6.8 days. There was no correlation between the bony changes and the laterality in the chronic subset. Periosteal thickness and fibrosis were universal in the chronic group but not in the acute dacryocystitis. There were also differences in the number of osteocytes per sq mm, osteoblast, osteoclast, bony remodeling, bony canals structure, and intrastromal fibrosis between the subsets. These changes within the chronic group increased with the duration of the disease. Interestingly, there was no evidence of any bony inflammation across the subsets in all the samples studied. CONCLUSION: Characteristic bony changes can be demonstrated in patients with chronic PANDO but not in acute dacryocystitis. The lack of bony inflammatory infiltrates may provide clues in understanding the peri-sac disease pathogenesis in acute dacryocystitis.

Mechanical transnasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy versus transcanalicular multidiode laser dacryocystorhinostomy: long-term results of a prospective study.

The purpose of this study is to compare two dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) techniques in epiphora treatment. This study is a prospective randomized trial. Twenty-nine patients presenting persistent epiphora due to primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO) were included in the study. Two groups each consisting of 15 eyes were formed. Mechanical transnasal endoscopic DCR (MTE-DCR) was applied to the first group, while transcanalicular dacryocystorhinostomy with multidiode laser (TCML-DCR) techniques is employed in the second group. Follow-up is conducted in the first day, first week, and first month of the dacryocystorhinostomy which is followed by 4-month follow-up period, and results were compared using statistical methods. The main outcome measures were the elimination of epiphora and unrestricted flow of irrigated saline to the nose. Seven patients were male, 22 were female, and the mean age was 39.3 ± 12.5 years. Mean follow-up times were 111.3 ± 10.5 months and 93 ± 2.9 months in group 1 and group 2, respectively. Complete resolution is achieved in group 1, whereas failures stemming from canalicular stenosis and fibrosis at osteotomy site are recorded in two cases in group 2. Occlusion occurred in the fifth month in both cases. Thus, long-term success rates were 100% in the first and 86.6% in the second group (P = 0.483). MTE-DCR is a strong substitute for external DCR. Although TCML-DCR shows promising results, it is far away from becoming the gold standard technique in epiphora treatment.

CHARGE syndrome without colobomas: Ophthalmic findings.

To report ophthalmic findings of patients without colobomas, and with a clinical and molecular diagnosis of CHARGE Syndrome. Retrospective study of ophthalmic findings in 67 CHARGE patients-clinically confirmed diagnosis with positive CHD7 mutation-seen in the Ophthalmology department of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center between January 1, 2008 through September 25, 2018. Criteria for inclusion in this study was absence of any form of a coloboma in either eye. In our cohort, all patients had a positive CHD7 mutation, in addition to a clinical diagnosis. 19.4% (13/67) of CHARGE patients did not have a coloboma in either eye. 69.2% (9/13) had strabismus, 76.9% (10/13) had a refractive error that warranted refractive correction, 23.1% (3/13) had amblyopia, 38.5% (5/13) had nasolacrimal duct obstruction, 30.8% (4/13) had dry eye syndrome and exposure keratopathy, 15.4% (2/13) had ptosis, 15.4% (2/13) had blepharitis, 15.4% (2/13) had Cortical Visual Impairment, 7.7% (1/13) of patients had optic nerve drusen, 7.7% (1/13) had Marcus Gunn Jaw Winking, and 7.7% (1/13) with an eyelid nevus. There are numerous ophthalmic findings in individuals with CHARGE Syndrome without colobomas. No study to date has evaluated the ophthalmic findings in CHD7 positive CHARGE patients without colobomas. These findings need to be assessed and treated to ensure optimal vision in the CHARGE patient population. Absence of coloboma does not rule out a diagnosis of CHARGE syndrome, and if there is a clinical suspicion, clinical confirmation then genetic testing would be warranted.

The use of anterior segment optical coherence tomography in evaluation of punctal stenosis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the applicability of anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) for objective diagnosis of punctal stenosis. METHODS: We report the use of AS-OCT in 3 cases of epiphora related to punctal stenosis. We followed the methodology described in previous studies. The examination was performed by a single technician using a single Spectralis OCT with the AS-OCT module. Three patients with complaints of epiphora (mean age=80 years) were examined. The external punctal diameter was measured on both infrared (IR) and OCT images. The internal diameter was measured on OCT images at a depth of 500µm. The diagnosis was confirmed by clinical examination. RESULTS: The external punctal diameters were 159µm in the right eye (Cases 1 and 2) and 195µm in the left eye (case 2; mean: 171µm). All measurements were lower than cadaveric measurements (200-500µm), as well as previously described average diameters, thus confirming the diagnosis of punctal stenosis. The AS-OCT diameter correlated moderately with the punctal diameter estimate on the IR photos (mean: 183µm). In addition, the mean internal diameter of the punctum at 500µm (cases 1 and 2) was 58µm, which is consistent with the mean diameter at 500µm described in previous studies. Case 3 involved an 88-year-old man who complained of chronic epiphora. Slit lamp examination showed total punctal stenosis associated with cicatricial ectropion in the left eye due to a cutaneous tumor treated with radiotherapy. AS-OCT confirmed the presence of total punctual stenosis and the absence of associated canalicular stenosis. LIMITATIONS: Our study is obviously limited by its small study population. The decision to resort to surgery was made by 2 different surgeons. There was thus no homogeneity in terms of stenosis. There is difficulty in everting the lid without applying pressure to the globe or changing the punctal or canalicular morphology. This maneuver was difficult in the postoperative setting after ectropion repair. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that AS-OCT can be a rapid, non-invasive method in diagnosing punctal stenosis. Further studies are necessary to assess the use of AS-OCT in punctal stenosis.

The Use of Stents in Children with Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction Requiring Surgical Intervention: A Systematic Review.

Nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) is the most common cause of childhood epiphora. It is managed conservatively in the first year of life, after which surgical treatment is classically based on a stepwise paradigm of probing, intubation, and dacryocystorhinostomy. This systematic review aims to present the current role of intubation in the management of children with NLDO requiring surgical intervention. A search for English-language articles from the electronic databases PubMed, SCOPUS, and the COCHRANE library was conducted over a period of five months in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook. The following keywords were used to aid retrieval: stents, children, lacrimal intubation, endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy, external dacryocystorhinostomy, NLDO, dacryocystitis, congenital, acquired. The primary outcome was defined as the success of the intervention, determined by resolution of symptoms and patency of the lacrimal anatomy confirmed by the fluorescein dye disappearance test or syringing. Secondary outcomes included the presence of complications. A total of 144 articles were identified; of these, 35 fulfilled the study criteria. The majority of the included studies involved lacrimal intubation alone, followed by intubation as an adjunctive procedure to balloon dacryoplasty and dacryocystorhinostomy. The overall success rate of these procedures ranged from 41.1% to 100%. Post-operative complications were reported in 65.7% of the included studies. Lacrimal intubation was most commonly performed as a primary procedure in children with NLDO, with high success rates. The main complication was stent dislodgement. There is lack of evidence regarding the benefit of intubation over probing as primary treatment of congenital NLDO. In the absence of high-quality evidence, the decision of whether to perform lacrimal intubation in children with NLDO requiring surgical intervention depends on clinical judgement and other low-level evidence, such as observational non-randomised trials.

Rebamipide promotes lacrimal duct epithelial cell survival via protecting barrier function.

Nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) is thought to be due to inflammation and fibrosis of lacrimal duct epithelial cells (LDECs). Here we investigated the effect of rebamipide, a drug that is used for the protection of the mucosa and the treatment of gastritis and gastroduodenal ulcers, on LDECs, both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, LDECs were cultured from rabbit lacrimal duct tissues, and the barrier function of LEDCs was examined in vitro via transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) measurement, with or without interleukin (IL)-6 and/or rebamipide. For the in vivo examination, benzalkonium chloride (BAC) was injected into the rabbit lacrimal ducts, followed by the application of rebamipide or a placebo vehicle alone. The results of the in vitro examination revealed a significant decrease in TER in the group treated with IL-6 alone compared with the placebo-vehicle group (p < 0.05) and the group treated with IL-6 and rebamipide (p < 0.01). The results of the in vivo examination revealed that the infiltration of neutrophils under the basement membrane and the disruption of tight junction proteins with BAC injection and rebamipide attenuates the disturbance of tissue construction. These results suggest that rebamipide protects LDECs via an anti-inflammatory effect and preserves the barrier function of those cells.

Investigating the effects of inferior turbinate outfracture on the lacrimal system by evaluating the results of paranasal sinus computed tomography and nasolacrimal irrigation test.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the effects of inferior turbinate outfracture on the nasolacrimal system and tear flow. METHODS: Forty-seven patients (26 males, 21 females) between the ages 18 and 52 years (mean age-29.0 ± 9.6 years) were included in the study. Preoperative nasal examinations and paranasal sinus computed tomography of the patients were carried out; the direction, location, nasal septum deviation classification and inferior turbinate hypertrophy size classification were evaluated. Lacrimal irrigation test was performed preoperatively and 14 days postoperatively. RESULTS: The study included 47 patients who underwent septoplasty and inferior turbinate outfracture. The mean duration of lacrimal irrigation test was 2.9 ± 0.8 s on the right side and 3.0 ± 1.1 s on the left side preoperatively, and 2.1 ± 0.8 s on the right side and 2.2 ± 1.0 s on the left side postoperatively. No significant relationship between direction, location classification, angle nasal septum deviation classification and lacrimal irrigation test duration was found. A significant relationship between size classification of the left inferior turbinate and preoperative lacrimal irrigation test duration was noted (p = 0.030). Moreover, a significant decrease between preoperative and postoperative lacrimal irrigation test duration after inferior turbinate outfracture (p = 0.000) was noted. CONCLUSION: We concluded that outfracture of the inferior turbinate with septoplasty surgery may benefit the regulation of tear flow. In addition, we concluded that lacrimal irrigation test duration may be effective in determining the patients with subclinical nasolacrimal duct partial obstruction due to inferior turbinate pathologies.

Predictors of long-term success and failure in primary and revision endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.

BACKGROUND: Although endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (endo-DCR) is a common treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction, little is known about the determinants of surgical success and failure. The purpose of this study was to identify patient- and technique-specific factors that may influence surgical outcomes of primary and revision endo-DCR. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of 596 patients who underwent endo-DCR over a 30-year period (1989-2018). Patients' demographics and surgical techniques were assessed. RESULTS: Among the cohort of patients (n = 478) who underwent primary endo-DCR, 10% (n = 48) required revision surgery. Patients who failed primary DCR tended to be younger (p = 0.015) and were less likely to have chronic sinonasal inflammation on histopathology (p = 0.047) than the successful surgery group. After adjusting for patient demographics and comorbidities, the occurrence of a postoperative complication was significantly associated with primary DCR failure (odds ratio [OR], 2.2; p = 0.032). Among the cohort of patients (n = 118) who underwent revision endo-DCR, 8.5% (n = 10) required additional revision surgery. Patients who failed revision DCR tended to be younger (p = 0.022), more likely to have had intraoperative laser usage (p = 0.031), and more likely to have had an intraoperative complication (p = 0.013) than the successful revision surgery group. Endo-DCR failure was not associated with smoking status, middle turbinate resection, or intraoperative visualization of the internal common punctum (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: An understanding of factors associated with primary and revision endo-DCR failure can help to inform preoperative counseling, intraoperative surgical technique, and postoperative care in the treatment of patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Complex Stenoses and CT Features of the Nasolacrimal Canal in Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction.

PURPOSE: To study the CT appearance of the nasolacrimal canal (NLC) in cases of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) where there is a tactile sensation of a hard contact (HC) stop in the duct preventing stent intubation. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed all consecutive cases of chronic CNLDO observed between 2003 and 2018 in which an apparent HC obstruction prevented nasolacrimal intubation. CT scans were reviewed to determine the cause of probing failure: distal stenosis, loss of parallelism of the NLC walls, abnormal angulations or an adjacent obstacle blocking tear outflow. RESULTS: Nine patients (12 sides) met the following criteria: CNLDO + HC + probing failure. The mean age at the time of the first HC was 3.9 years (range: 0.8-8.1 years) and at the time of a second confirmation of HC with subsequent dacryocystorhinostomy was 7.8 years (range: 4.1-9.2 years). Nasolacrimal duct opacification was noted in 33% of cases (4/12). Abnormalities of the NLC occurred in 8 of the 12 cases of CNLDO (8/12 = 66.6%) and on the asymptomatic side in 1 case (1/6 = 16.6%). A canine tooth bud situated in the same plane as the NLC was observed in 9 cases of CNLDO (9/12 = 75%) and on the asymptomatic side in 2 cases (2/6 = 33.3%). CONCLUSIONS: HC noted during probing is a sensitive but relatively nonspecific sign which, nevertheless, does indicate either a complex obstruction or at least potential intubation difficulties. As confirmed by CT imaging, a significant anatomical variant is not necessarily predictive of epiphora, but nevertheless may complicate the intubation procedure.The authors describe hard contact palpation during probing for CLNDO and its relationship to anatomic location and etiologies of obstruction in the nasolacrimal canal by CT imaging.

Insertion of a preloaded Monoka™ stent for congenital nasolacrimal obstruction: Intraoperative observations. A preliminary study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To study the intraoperative deployment of a pre-loaded probe for a "pushed" monocanalicular nasolacrimal intubation. STUDY DESIGN: Non-randomized study of consecutive cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Description: A classical Monoka™ silicone stent with the silicone tube attached at right angles to the punctal plug is contained entirely inside an introducer connected to a piston. Insertion: The procedure begins with intubation of the nasolacrimal duct with the metallic introducer. Traction on the piston retracts the metallic introducer inside the handpiece. This relative shortening progressively ejects the stent, starting with its free end at the bottom of the introducer. The operation was observed endoscopically under single-blind conditions. RESULTS: Twenty-eight preloaded Monoka™ stents were placed consecutively, in 28 congenital nasolacrimal duct intubations in 22 patients (28 sides). Endoscopic examination showed that the free part of the stent was progressively ejected from the introducer during retraction of the piston. Insertion of this pushed stent into the nasal cavity was effective in 23/28 cases (82.1%). A total of 28 preloaded stent insertions were attempted and 23 were correctly deployed. DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED: At the end of nasolacrimal duct intubation, contact between the punctal plug and the lacrimal punctum was problematic in four cases (4/28=14.2%). At the beginning of stent placement, premature ejection of the punctal plug within the end of the introducer occurred in five cases (5/28=17.8%). These five stents failed to insert properly into the nasal cavity. At the end of insertion, retention of the punctal plug in the introducer occurred in two cases (2/28=7.1%). COMPLICATIONS: No cases of intraoperative or postoperative epistaxis were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative nasal endoscopy validated the concept of the preloaded Monoka stent and its deployment. Reproducibility and improved reliability may require a change in stenting technique and a design modification.

Ultrastructure of the lacrimal drainage system in health and disease: A major review.

PURPOSE: To provide a systematic review of the literature on the ultrastructural findings of the lacrimal drainage system in healthy state and in few of the disorders studied so far. METHODS: The authors performed a PubMed search of all articles published with reference to electron microscopic features of the lacrimal drainage pathways. Data captured include demographics, study techniques, scanning or transmission electron microscopic features, presumed or confirmed interpretations and their implications. Specific emphasis was laid on addressing the lacunae and potential directions for future research. RESULTS: Ultrastructural studies have led to better understanding of the lacrimal drainage anatomy-physiology correlations. Cellular interactions between fibroblasts and lymphocytes could form a basis for pathogenesis of punctal stenosis. Ultrastructural characterization of peri-lacrimal cavernous bodies and changes in primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO) led to them being partly implicated in its etiopathogenesis. Electron microscopic characterization of the dacryolith core promises insights into their evolution. Ultrastructural tissue effects of mitomycin-C during a DCR surgery has provided potential evidence of its role in cases with high-risk of failure. Lacrimal stent biofilms are common but their clinical implications are currently uncertain. CONCLUSION: Ultrastructural exploration of lacrimal drainage system so far has been limited and sparsely explored. The list of unexplored areas is exhaustive. There is a need for the lacrimal Clinician-Scientist to make themselves familiar with techniques and interpretation of electron microscopy to advance the ultrastructural frontier of this science.

Dacryocystosclerotherapy as an alternative to dacryocystectomy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to perform a histopathological assessment of the efficacy of sclerosing agents in dacryocystosclerotherapy (DCST) and to evaluate its role as an alternative to dacryocystectomy (DCT) in a specific group of patients. Methods: Thirteen lacrimal drainage systems of 10 patients with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO) were studied. All patients were awaiting a DCT, indications being repeated attacks of dacryocystitis with severe systemic or ocular co-morbidities and/or refusal for a dacryocystorhinostomy. Fluorescent labelled sodium tetradecyl sulphate (SDS) or bleomycin were used as sclerosing agents for a DCST taking specific precautions. All patients underwent a DCT after 4 weeks and histopathological evaluation was performed to assess the changes and extent of DCST. Results: There were nine females and one male, and all patients were above the age of 60 years. Of the 13 lacrimal systems studied, the mean duration of PANDO was 1.3 years. All the patients had associated systemic and/or ocular co-morbidities. SDS and bleomycin were used in 6 and 7 lacrimal systems, respectively. The mean doses used for SDS and bleomycin were 0.26 and 0.31 cc, respectively. The post-injection phase was uneventful except for one patient who had a moderate inflammation, which resolved with low dose oral steroids. Histopathological features were more marked in the SDS group and included loss of epithelium, luminal closure, gross fibrosis across the lacrimal sac wall, congestion and hyalinization of blood vessels, and multiple areas of haemorrhages in the sac wall. Conclusions: DCST is a safe and effective alternative to DCT in very carefully selected patients. Histopathology demonstrates SDS to be more effective as compared to bleomycin.

Nasal and Lacrimal Sac Histopathology in Patients With Systemic Sarcoidosis Undergoing External Lacrimal Drainage Surgery.

PURPOSE: To review the histological findings in the lacrimal sac and nasal mucosa from patients with sarcoidosis undergoing external lacrimal drainage surgery. METHODS: All patients undergoing external dacryocystorhinostomy at Moorfields Eye Hospital with a known history of sarcoidosis had biopsies taken from the lacrimal sac and/or nasal mucosa during surgery. These patients were identified from databases at Moorfields Eye Hospital and the Institute of Ophthalmology, and their clinical notes were reviewed retrospectively for intraoperative findings with a view to identifying common trends. The histological findings of each biopsy were reviewed and classified as showing granulomas, nongranulomatous inflammation, or nonspecific fibrosis. RESULTS: Forty patients (29 females; 72%) were known to have systemic sarcoidosis prior to surgery, and they underwent 60 external dacryocystorhinostomies. Paired histological samples were available from 49/60 (82%) procedures, nasal biopsies alone in 3 dacryocystorhinostomies (5%), and solely lacrimal sac biopsies in 8 (13%). The main site of systemic sarcoidosis was pulmonary involvement (19 patients; 48%). Recorded operative findings included 9 large lacrimal sac mucoceles (29%), a "thick" (26%) or "inflamed" (9.7%) lacrimal sac mucosa, and "thick" (36%) or "friable" (32%) nasal mucosa. Noncaseating granulomas were identified in 34/57 (60%) sacs, and 45/52 (87%) nasal tissues-this being in 31/49 (63%) of paired tissues. Chronic inflammation, without granulomas, was present in 20/57 (35%) lacrimal sacs but only in 5/52 (9.6%) of nasal biopsies. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with sarcoidosis undergoing external dacryocystorhinostomy, the characteristic histological feature-noncaseating granulomas-is present in most patients' lacrimal sac mucosa and in almost all of their nasal mucosae. The lacrimal sac and nasal mucosa often appears abnormal-thickened or friable-during surgery.