Comparison of the surgical outcomes of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy in chronic dacryocystitis with or without previous bicanalicular silicone tube intubation.

AIMS: To compare the outcomes of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (En-DCR) in chronic dacryocystitis (CD) with or without previous bicanalicular silicone tube intubation (BSTI), and investigate whether previous BSTI influenced postoperative outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of medical records of CD patients (group A) who had previously undergone BSTI for nasolacrimal duct stenosis and an age- and sex-matched control group of CD patients (group B) without previous intubation receiving En-DCR from November 2017 to January 2022. Sixty-one patients (61 eyes) were included in group A and age- and sex-matched 122 patients (122 eyes) in group B. Dacryocystic parameters were measured by computed tomography-dacryocystography and surgical findings were recorded during surgeries. The surgical success rates of the two groups were compared at 12 months post-operation. RESULTS: The mean horizontal, sagittal, and vertical lengths were 6.06 ± 1.24, 6.03 ± 1.44, and 8.05 ± 2.00 mm, respectively, in group A and 6.33 ± 1.25, 6.26 ± 1.19, and 10.40 ± 2.45 mm, respectively, in group B. There were no differences in the horizontal or sagittal parameters between the two groups. The vertical parameter in group A was significantly lower than that in group B. Scar formation in the sac was observed in 54 patients in group A but was absent in group B. At 12 months postoperatively, the anatomical and functional success rates were 88.52 % and 85.25 %, respectively, in group A and 92.62 % and 89.34 %, respectively, in group B, with no difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Previous BSTI reduced dacryocyst vertical parameter and caused dacryocyst scar formation but did not affect postoperative En-DCR efficacy.

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.

Melanoma of the lacrimal sac: An extremely rare location From a radiologist perspective.

Lacrimal sac tumors are rare with epithelial tumors being the most common type. Melanoma of the lacrimal sac is an exceptional finding. Few cases have been reported so far in the literature. We report the case of a sixth year old male, with no pathological background, who was referred to the hospital for chronic dacryocystitis resistant to treatment. Computed tomography dacryocystography and magnetic resonance imaging were performed, in favor of a large mass of the lacrimal sac and lacrimal canal suggestive of melanoma. Biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. PET-CT was positive and showed abnormal activity in the lung, liver and bones, in favor of metastasis.

Assessing the relationship of agger nasi pneumatization to the lacrimal sac: a dynamic computed tomography-dacryocystography analysis.

Background: An understanding of the anatomical structure is crucial for completing successful endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery. This study aimed to precisely delineate the spatial relationship between the lacrimal sac and the agger nasi cell (ANC) and evaluate the impact of ANC on surgical strategies in endoscopic DCR. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 110 Han Chinese patients diagnosed with unilateral primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO) from January 2021 to June 2023. This study was conducted in Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital of Fudan University and involved inpatient participants who were scheduled for DCR surgery under general anesthesia. Patients were consecutively enrolled. The patients underwent preoperative computed tomography-dacryocystography (CT-DCG), and contrast-enhanced images were used to locate the positions of the lacrimal sac and the common canaliculus. A dynamic approach was adopted to analyze the multiplanar CT imaging, facilitating a detailed assessment of the morphology of the lacrimal drainage system and potential overlap of the lacrimal sac. Patient ages and measured values are presented as the mean ± standard deviation, which were measured three times by the same observer and averaged for statistical analysis. Results: The prevalence of ANC in this study was 90.9% (100/110). Dynamic examination revealed that only 42.7% (47/110) of ANCs appeared as discrete cells, while the majority were connected to nearby sinus openings. Spatial analysis showed that in 57 out of 110 cases, ANCs were situated below the common canaliculus and not posterior to the lacrimal sac, indicating an overlap rate of 51.8%. Notably, our dynamic approach identified five critical cases of overlap below the level of the common canaliculus, which might have been missed by prior studies that used different methodologies. Conclusions: More than half of the ANCs exhibited overlap with the lacrimal sac, suggesting a significant proportion may necessitate opening during endoscopic DCR procedures. ANCs are often interconnected with adjacent nasal sinuses, necessitating careful consideration in the decision to open the ANCs during surgery. The dynamic evaluation employed in CT-DCG effectively assessed the extent of ANC coverage over the lacrimal sac.

Investigation of lacrimal sac space-occupying lesions using color doppler ultrasound, computed tomography, and computed tomography dacryocystography.

AIM: To observe the imaging features of color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) and computed tomography (CT) or computed tomography dacryocystography (CT-DCG) in different types of lacrimal sac space-occupying lesions (SOLs). METHODS: This retrospective case series study included 21 patients with lacrimal sac SOLs who underwent lacrimal sac surgery between January 2018 and March 2022. The imaging features of CDU and CT or CT-DCG in these patients were extracted from the examination cloud system. The images were observed and analyzed. RESULTS: The detection rate of lacrimal SOLs between CDU (21/21, 100%) and CT or CT-DCG (20/21, 95.2%) had no statistically significant difference (P=1.0). CDU could detect the blood flow signals in all SOLs except mucocele and mucopeptide concretion. Among them, polyps had characteristic imaging changes on CDU and CT-DCG. The mucoceles and mucopeptide concretions had characteristic imaging changes on CDU, which could provide more information for differential diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The morphology and internal blood flow signals of lacrimal sac SOLs can be observed using CDU. CT or CT-DCG has advantages in observing structural damage around the lacrimal sac mass. Therefore, CDU may be used as a routine examination to exclude lacrimal sac SOLs before dacryocystorhinostomy in the absence of preoperative CT or CT-DCG.

Study on the angle between the long axis of lacrimal sac and bony nasolacrimal duct in patients with chronic dacryocystitis / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To analyze the difference of the angle between the long axis of lacrimal sac and bony nasolacrimal duct(BNLD)in patients with chronic dacryocystitis and normal eyes, and discuss the relationship between the angle and chronic dacryocystitis.<p>METHODS:A total of 218 patients(248 diseased eyes)from Sichuan Province who visited the ophthalmology department of our hospital from January 2016 to March 2019 were collected retrospectively. All patients underwent computed tomography dacryocystography(CT-DCG)immediately after bilateral lacrimal duct irrigation, and three-dimensional reconstruction of the nasolacrimal duct structure was performed. The structures of the nasolacrimal duct, lacrimal sac and its surrounding tissues were observed in the coronal position, and the lacrimal sac-BNLD angles of the diseased eyes and the normal eyes were measured respectively.<p>RESULTS:The lacrimal sac-BNLD angle of the diseased eyes \〖23.55°(17.30°, 29.90°)\〗 was higher than that of the normal eyes \〖20.05°(15.40°, 28.35°)\〗(<i>P</i><0.05). Among them, the angle of the diseased eyes in female patients \〖24.60°(17.75°, 31.00°)\〗 was significantly higher than that in normal eyes \〖21.15°(15.10°, 27.35°)\〗(<i>P</i><0.05), while there was no significant difference in the angle between the diseased eyes and normal eyes in male patients(<i>P</i>>0.05). In addition, the angle of the diseased eyes in the age group of 41-60 a \〖25.20°(17.90°, 33.00°)\〗 was significantly higher than that in normal eyes \〖21.60°(15.25°, 29.05°)\〗(<i>P</i><0.05).<p>CONCLUSION: The angle between the long axis of lacrimal sac and bony nasolacrimal duct increased in patients with chronic dacryocystitis, which may be one of the factors causing the onset of chronic dacryocystitis in middle-aged and elderly women.

Study the diameter of nasolacrimal duct in patients with obstructive diseases of nasolacrimal duct / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To measure the transverse diameter of nasolacrimal duct in patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction,and to analyze the difference of the transverse diameter of the upper,middle and lower nasal nasolacrimal ducts between the diseased eyes and the normal eyes,between the male and the female eyes,and of different ages and sexes and then explore the correlation between the diameter of nasolacrimal duct and nasolacrimal duct obstruction based on computed tomography (CT) dacryocystography.METHODS:From April 2014 to January 2017 in Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital of ophthalmology in tears or pus for complaints,diagnosis of nasolacrimal duct obstruction in 152 patients (179 sick eyes,125 normal eyes).Among them 25 cases were male (sick eyes 28 eyes,normal eye 22 eyes),127 cases were female (sick eves 151 eyes,normal eyes 103 eyes),age from 4 to 87 years old,mean age 53.44±16.06 years old.All patients with perfusion of 30％ iohexol injection in lacrimal passages,and immediately examined with CT scan,upload CT images on PACS workstation for 3D reconstruction of nasolacrimal duct,oblique coronal of nasolacrimal duct and its adjacent structure were observed.We measured and analyzed the transverse diameters of the upper,middle and lower nasal nasolacrimal ducts between men and women,diseased eyes and non diseased eyes,and between the diseased eyes of different age groups.RESULTS:The transverse diameter of the upper,middle and lower nasal nasolacrimal duct was no significant difference between the diseased eye and the normal eye,between the male and female diseased eyes,and between the diseased eyes of different age groups (P＞0.05).The transverse diameters of the upper,middle and lower nasolacrimal ducts were significantly different between the diseased eyes and the normal eyes (P＜0.001),and the transverse diameter of the middle mouth was the smallest.CONCLUSION:Transverse diameter of bony nasolacrimal duct is not a risk factor for nasolacrimal duct obstruction.