Color Doppler Imaging Features of the Lacrimal Sac in Health and Diseased States.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to present Color Doppler imaging (CDI) features of the lacrimal sac in normal and diseased states. METHODS: Prospective study was performed on 20 lacrimal sacs of 20 eyes of 10 patients who underwent Color Doppler imaging at a tertiary care Dacryology service over a period of 6 months. All the patients were subjected to Duplex doppler scanning of the lacrimal sacs. Of the 20 lacrimal drainage systems studied, 8 were normal, 8 had primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO) and 4 were that of acute dacryocystitis (AcDac). Patient demographics, clinical presentation, duration of the disease and Color Doppler vascular characteristics like peri-sac vascular flow, peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), resistivity index (RI), arterial spectral waveforms and sac dimensions and wall thickness were analyzed. RESULTS: The vascular flow around the lacrimal sac was increased with higher flow velocities in PANDO as compared to normal and grossly enhanced in AcDac. Flow disturbances were also quite discernible in AcDac. The mean PSV and EDV were 9 & 3.87 cm/sec, 13.07 & 4.63 cm/sec and 18 & 8.5 cm/sec in normal, PANDO and AcDac, respectively. The mean vascular resistivity index increased in patients with PANDO (0.67) and decreased in AcDac (0.53) as compared to the normal (0.57). The arterial spectral waveforms in PANDO and AcDac showed low pulsatility, but the systolic peaks were sharper with more continuous forward flow through diastole in AcDac. This reflects vascular dilatation and reduced resistance to flow in AcDac. CONCLUSION: Characteristic Color Doppler flow parameters can be demonstrated in patients with PANDO and acute dacryocystitis. Color Doppler techniques have the potential to enhance the understanding of lacrimal drainage pathophysiology.

Orbital apex syndrome secondary to optic nerve cysticercosis.

A 22-year-old male presented to us with complaints of sudden painful loss of vision in left eye 10 days ago along with inward deviation of the left eye. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in right eye was 20/20 and 20/50 in left eye. Left eye showed limitation of abduction, a relative afferent pupillary defect, normal anterior segment with optic disc oedema. Contrast-enhanced MRI of the brain and orbit showed thickening of left optic nerve along with a cystic lesion near the orbital apex with a central iso- to hyperintense spot resembling a scolex. A diagnosis of left orbital apex syndrome secondary to optic nerve cysticercosis was made. Patient was treated with oral albendazole and intravenous corticosteroids for 3 days followed by oral corticosteroids. Ten weeks post-treatment, his BCVA in the left eye improved to 20/20 and colour vision and visual fields improved. Pallor of the left optic disc was noted, and ocular motility improved completely. MRI after treatment showed a decreased thickness of left optic nerve with disappearance of the cystic lesion.