Role of CT dacryocystography in the management of lacrimal drainage system obstruction

Abstract

Abstract Objective To evaluate using computed tomography dacryocystography (CT-DCG) and its importance in the lacrimal drainage system (LDS) blockage diagnosis. Methods It is a prospective study of 30 patients: 29 females and 1 male with age range from 20 to 65 years (34.5) presenting with symptoms with epiphora assessed by CT-DCG. Results Different levels of LDS blockage were evaluated: Canalicular obstruction in 3 patients (10%), lacrimal sac obstruction in 4 cases (13.3%), proximal NLD obstruction in 15 cases (50%), and distal NLD obstruction in 8 (26.7%) cases. The most common CTDCG finding was blockage of the proximal part of the nasolacrimal duct (NLD) in 50% of cases. Conclusion CTDCG seems to be a minimal-invasive, fast, procedure for evaluation of nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) that could add benefit in diagnosis and preoperative decision-making.

Keywords

• Computed tomography
• Dacryocystography
• Epiphora
• Nasolacrimal duct obstruction
• Lacrimal drainage system