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The management of pediatric lacrimal problems.

The most common cause of tearing in the pediatric age group is blockage of the distal end of the nasolacrimal duct at the valve of Hasner. Evaluation with fluorescein using the dye disappearance test and the primary dye test, although not always as accurate as in adults, is possible. Conservative treatment is attempted initially followed by probing and, if necessary, silicone intubation. Less common causes of tearing are punctal atresia and congenital lacrimal sac fistula, which are usually diagnosed later, requiring opening of the atretic membrane and excision of the fistula tract, respectively. Amniotoceles are usually seen within a week of birth and are treated aggressively with medication and/or probing to prevent acute dacryocystitis.

Humans↗

MR dacryocystography: comparison with dacryocystography and CT dacryocystography.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Several techniques have been used to image the nasolacrimal system, providing functional (dacryoscintigraphy) or morphologic (dacryocystography, CT dacryocystography [CTD]) information. Using gadopentetate dimeglumine-diluted solution injected into the lacrimal canaliculus or instilled into the conjunctival sac, we compared the sensitivity of MR dacryocystography (MRD) with that of CTD. METHODS: Eleven healthy volunteers and 25 patients affected by primary epiphora (21 patients) or postsurgical recurrent epiphora (four patients) underwent MRD after the topical administration of contrast media or cannulation of the lacrimal canaliculus. The MR imaging findings were compared with irrigation and CTD data. All patients underwent surgical treatment (dacryocystorhinostomy), which served as a standard of reference for confirming the MRD findings. RESULTS: The topical administration of contrast-enhanced saline solution and the injection of contrast-enhanced saline solution after cannulation were always well tolerated. In healthy volunteers, outflow of contrast media was always revealed by MRD. Eight (32%) of 25 patients with epiphora had stenosis proximal to the lacrimal sac revealed by MRD, whereas 17 (68%) of 25 showed a dilated lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct stenosis, as confirmed by surgical findings. The findings of MRD after the topical administration of contrast medium and MRD after cannulation of the lacrimal canaliculus were comparable with irrigation or CTD data for all patients except one. CONCLUSION: In patients with epiphora, MR imaging performed after the topical administration of diluted contrast material can reveal stenosis of the lacrimal apparatus and can be added to the standard orbital imaging protocol when lacrimal system involvement is suspected.

Constriction, Pathologic↗

[Complications of endoscopic sinus surgery].

Endoscopic sinus surgery has become popular during recent years. Here is a report of complications of endoscopic sinus surgery among 150 patients. Seven patients had complications, including one nasolacrimal duct injury, one temporary blindness, one orbital hematoma as a result of trauma to the lamina papyracea, two orbital infections, one CSF leakage and one death probably due to laceration of the internal carotid artery. The complication rate was 4.6%, and the mortality rate 0.6%. We conclude that the knowledge of anatomy, good training, and meticulous surgical technique are very important, and that endoscopic sinus surgery in patients with extensive lesions should be handled with care, especially in patients with bleeding or bone destruction involving the lateral wall of sphenoid sinus and skull base.

Carotid Artery Injuries↗

Chronic dacryocystitis in American mucocutaneous leishmaniasis.

PURPOSE: This study describes lacrimal tract involvement and surgical outcome in patients with mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. METHODS: Four patients, ages 20 to 75 years, had nasal lesions resulting from mucocutaneous leishmaniasis and sought treatment for chronic dacryocystitis. Each patient had had lacrimal symptoms since childhood or early adulthood, concomitantly with the development of upper airway lesions. Dacryocystography showed nasolacrimal duct stenosis in all cases on the affected side. Three patients underwent dacryocystorhinostomy (one bilaterally), and one patient had bilateral dacryocystectomy. RESULTS: Two patients had surgical fistula closure soon after surgery. A sequential endoscopic operation for remotion of a synechia between the fistula and the middle turbinate was successful in one of these patients. Histopathologic analysis of lacrimal sacs and nasal mucous membranes close to the anastomotic site revealed chronic nonspecific inflammatory process and negative immunohistochemistry for Leishmania. CONCLUSIONS: Dacryocystitis may result from nasal mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. The surgical outcome was unsatisfactory in one of the four patients.

Adult↗

Chronic feeding study of pyrilamine in Fischer 344 rats.

The antihistamine, pyrilamine maleate, was fed for up to 2 years to groups of 57 Fischer 344 (F344) rats of each sex at dietary levels of 0, 300, 1500, or 3000 ppm (free base). Eight or nine of these rats per sex and dose group were killed at 65 weeks to analyze hematology and clinical chemistry in all groups and histopathology of control and high-dose animals. Histopathology also was performed on all dead or moribund rats and on all that survived for 2 years. Average daily exposures were 11 to 150 mg/kg pyrilamine compared to human dosages up to 3 mg/kg. Pyrilamine treatment did not reduce survival. Final body weights were reduced relative to controls (mid-dose males, 93%, females, 82%: high-dose males, 82%, females, 70%). The incidences of inflammation of the nasolacrimal duct (chronic in females; suppurative in males), liver cytoplasmic vacuolization (males), and the combination of animals with either liver basophilic or clear cell foci (males) tended to significantly increase with dose. Adrenal pheochromocytomas, mammary gland fibroadenomas, and neoplasms of the clitoral gland, thyroid c-cell, and pituitary gland all tended to decrease with increasing dose in females. In males only preputial gland neoplasms exhibited a similar negative trend. While two ovarian granulosatheca cell benign tumors occurred in high-dose females, these were thought to be a random occurrence. There was no evidence for the carcinogenicity of pyrilamine in F344 rats in the current study.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Endonasal treatment of postsaccal stenoses of lacrimal ducts: intranasal retrograde probing in congenital stenosis.

UNLABELLED: Congenital stenosis of nasolacrimal duct is a common medical problem affecting up to 20% of newborn infants. When symptoms persists for more than 5 to 6 months the lacrimal ducts should be subjected to probing and irrigation. Anterograde probing through inferior lacrimal punctum using a rigid Bowman probe is the standard approach to such cases. We could not find reports of a retrograde endonasal probing of the lacrimal ducts in the available literature published in the last five years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1992 and 2002, we treated 328 children (136 boys and 192 girls) with congenital stenoses of the lacrimal passageways. The mean age of the children was 7.4 (Sx +/- 13) months. Endonasal probing and retrograde irrigation of lacrimal ducts were performed in all children, taking into consideration the individual peculiarities of the obstruction and the anatomical accessibility of the opening of ductus nasolacrimalis in the inferior nasal passageway. RESULTS: Outflow of irrigation fluid from lacrimal puncta was observed at the first probing in 90% out of a total number of 401 primary probings. Because of persistent membranes in the inferior lacrimal punctum in 3 cases (0.8%) we had to repeat the initial dilatation. The repeated probing failed to ensure reliable establishment of lacrimal duct patency only in 1% of the cases. In such children we recommended and performed endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy with balloon intubations placing a catheter and this restored lacrimal drainage to the nasal cavity. CONCLUSION: Endonasal probing and irrigation of lacrimal ducts used in the treatment of congenital stenoses is a highly effective (99%), physiologically consistent and little traumatic method of reestablishing the patency of the tear draining system. If it fails, endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy with stents is the definitive treatment of children's dacryocystitis.

Adolescent↗

[Transcanalicular laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy: initial results].

PURPOSE: To describe the technique and initial results of laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy performed through the canaliculi. METHODS: Ten patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction underwent transcanalicular laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy. A silicone tube was inserted through the canaliculi and the ostium into the nasal cavity where it will be kept for 6 months. RESULTS: All ten operations were performed without negative occurrences. One patient presented displacement of the silicone tube one day after surgery. Nine of the ten patients reported disappearance of epiphora at the end of the first week following surgery. During the first month, one of these patients presented with epiphora due to obstruction of the lacrimal-nasal fistula and another lost the silicone tube in the first month following surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Transcanalicular laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy is a potentially useful method to perform dacryocystorhinostomy.

Adult↗

Transcanalicular laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Current techniques of laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy are mostly endonasal. In this report, the authors describe their technique of laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy performed through the canaliculi and the surgical results they achieved. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction underwent transcanalicular laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy. The bony ostium was perforated using a fiber optic-transmitting, giant-pulse Nd:YAG laser, with an energy of 0.5 to 4 J per pulse. The total energy used to create an ostium was 18 to 34 J. A silicone tube was inserted through the canaliculi and the ostium into the nasal cavity and kept in place for 5 to 7 months. Patients were observed for 18 to 22 months. RESULTS: Nine of the 14 patients (64%) reported the disappearance of epiphora following surgery. In 3 patients, no relief of epiphora was obtained. In 1 patient the operation was not completed because of severe nasal bleeding. In another, tearing began 12 months after surgery (6 months after tube removal). CONCLUSIONS: Transcanalicular laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy is a potentially useful method for performing dacryocystorhinostomy. Technical modifications and improvements are needed to increase the success rate.

Aged↗

Endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy: a report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

OBJECTIVE: This document describes endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) and examines the evidence to answer key questions about the effectiveness of the procedure compared with external DCR; the relative indications, contraindications, advantages, and limitations of the procedure; and patient selection, surgical technique, postoperative care, and complications. METHODS: A literature search conducted for the years 1968 to 2000 retrieved 93 citations. The panel members reviewed 71 of these articles and selected 64 for the panel methodologist to review and rate according to the strength of evidence. A level I rating is assigned to properly conducted, well-designed, randomized clinical trials; a level II rating is assigned to well-designed cohort and case-control studies; and a level III rating is assigned to case series and poorly designed prospective and retrospective studies, including case-control studies. RESULTS: The published literature includes two reports that describe clinical trials comparing endonasal with external DCR with a 1-year follow-up. The success rate was 91% for the external DCR group in both reports and 63% and 75% for the endonasal DCR groups, defined by patency to irrigation. A longitudinal cohort study included a control group of age-matched external DCR patients who were compared with a study group of endonasal DCR patients. The reported success rate at 9 months following surgery for the endonasal cohort was 90% and was not statistically significantly different from the 94% success rate noted in the external DCR control group. Remaining data on reported success rates of primary and revision endonasal DCR were obtained from a collection of uncontrolled observational case studies with varying periods of follow-up and success rates ranging from 59% to 100%. CONCLUSIONS: It is difficult to make definite evidence-based determinations about the relative efficacy of endonasal and external DCR because of the deficiencies in the reported literature. Based on level III evidence, the available data suggest that endonasal DCR may be a viable option for the correction of acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction and complex forms of congenital dacryostenosis in selected patients. This procedure may be indicated on a primary basis or as revisional surgery following failed external or endonasal DCR. Some studies comparing endonasal DCR with external DCR suggested lower success rates in the endonasal group; other studies yielded success rates comparable with or exceeding those of external surgery. Reported complications of endonasal DCR do not generally appear to be greater in frequency or magnitude than those associated with external DCR. Disadvantages of endonasal DCR include the preferred use of general anesthesia by many surgeons, the high cost of expensive equipment and instrumentation, and the relatively steep learning curve for this procedure. Depending on the preference of the surgeon, more postoperative care may be required for patients undergoing endonasal DCR than external DCR. Both the advantages and the limitations of endonasal DCR relative to external DCR should be carefully discussed with patients who are contemplating endonasal surgery.

Academies and Institutes↗

The giant fornix syndrome: an unrecognized cause of chronic, relapsing, grossly purulent conjunctivitis.

AIM: To describe a group of elderly patients presenting with chronic, relapsing, copiously purulent conjunctivitis, in which the condition was often perpetuated by the sequestration of a large number of bacteria on a protein coagulum lodged in the recesses of a large upper conjunctival fornix. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of a noncomparative case series, drawn from patients attending the lacrimal clinic at Moorfields Eye Hospital. OUTCOME MEASURES: Characterization of this unrecognized syndrome and its response to treatment. RESULTS: Twelve patients (10 female) presented between the ages of 77 and 93 years (mean, 85; median, 86) with a history of chronic relapsing bacterial conjunctivitis affecting, with 2 exceptions, just one eye. All had experienced multiple episodes of markedly purulent conjunctivitis and chronic ocular discharge for between 8 and 48 months (mean, 23.5; median, 24) before referral, and the patients had received multiple courses of treatment. Three had successful external dacryocystorhinostomy (for nasolacrimal duct occlusion) before the final diagnosis of giant fornix syndrome was made, 9 had developed corneal vascularization and scarring before referral, and 5 had suffered prior spontaneous corneal perforation or thinning. All patients had deep upper conjunctival fornices in association with the changes of age-related dehiscence of the levator muscle aponeurosis. Copious amounts of thick, purulent debris and a yellow coagulum were lodged in the depths of the upper fornix-this debris universally culturing Staphylococcus aureus. The condition settled rapidly on appropriate systemic antibiotics (ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin), intensive topical antibiotics, and high-dose, high-potency steroids; some patients required repeated treatment or needed to continue the use of a single drop of a combined steroid-antibiotic to prevent relapse. CONCLUSION: The capacious upper fornix of the elderly may harbor a coagulum colonized by S. aureus, leading to chronic conjunctivitis that may lead to severe sight impairment due to toxic keratopathy and secondary corneal vascularization.

Aged↗

[Ocular surface changes after dacryocystorhinostomy].

PURPOSE: To observe changes in tear film lipid interference patterns on the ocular surface in patients with nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction before and after dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). METHODS: The tear film lipid layer on the ocular surface was observed with a specular reflection video recording system in 5 eyes of 4 patients with NLD obstruction before and after DCR. Precorneal tear lipid layer interference patterns at the central cornea, tear meniscus height (TMH), and the Shirmer I test were recorded. Observed patterns were classified into 5 grades. RESULTS: Three of four eyes with TMH values over 0.4 mm before DCR showed decreased TMH postoperatively. One eye with a TMH of 0.2 mm showed no change after DCR. Concerning the tear film lipid layer interference patterns, 4 eyes were classified as grade 1 or 2, and 1 eye was classified as grade 4 before DCR. After DCR, the 5 eyes were classified from grade 3 to grade 4. Epiphora was successfully resolved in all patients after DCR. CONCLUSION: Tear film lipid layers were classified as normal grades before DCR but most cases changed to high grades after DCR. We suggest that the eye after DCR should have a thicker lipid layer than before DCR.

Aged↗

Intraoperative mitomycin C in dacryocystorhinostomy.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of intraoperative mitomycin C (MMC) in external dacryocystorhinostomy (EXT-DCR). METHODS: Forty-six cases (50 lacrimal drainage systems [LDS]) with nasolacrimal duct obstruction were randomized into three groups. In the control group, a standard EXT-DCR procedure was performed. In the two MMC groups, a piece of cotton soaked with 0.2 mg/ml MMC (group 1) or 0.5 mg/ml MMC (group 2) was applied to the nasal mucosa and the mucosa of the lacrimal sac in the osteotomy site for 5 minutes. RESULTS: The dacryocystorhinostomy in all patients was patent by irrigation 2 to 3 weeks postoperatively. After a mean follow-up interval of 35.2 +/- 5.3 months, the dacryocystorhinostomy was patent in 15 (83%) of 18 LDS in the control group, 16 (100%) of 16 LDS in group 1, and 15 (94%) of 16 LDS in group 2. The mean ostium sizes were 22.2 +/- 5.0 mm2 in group 1, 20.6 +/- 4.5 mm2 in group 2, and 13.2 +/- 2.7 mm2 in group 3 at the final follow-up visit; the difference between the patients treated with MMC and the control group was statistically significant. There was no statistically significant difference between the two MMC groups, however. No surgical complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative MMC in DCR is a safe and effective adjuvant that helps achieve favorable long-term success rates.

Adolescent↗

An association between acquired epiphora and the signs and symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis: a prospective case-control study.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that chronic rhinosinusitis may lead to epiphora because of inflammatory edema at the nasal end of the nasolacrimal duct and that treatment of the underlying nasal disease may obviate the need for dacryocystorhinostomy. The aim of this study was to establish whether or not there is an association between the signs and symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis and a complaint of epiphora in a blinded, prospective case-control study. METHODS: A consecutive series of 15 adult patients presenting to the ophthalmology department with acquired epiphora were compared with 29 patients presenting with chronic open-angle glaucoma over the same study period. Nasal symptoms and the findings on nasal endoscopy were recorded by a single otolaryngologist blinded to the diagnosis and using a standardized staging system RESULTS: The age and sex distributions of the two groups were similar. Scores for headache and altered smell were significantly higher in the epiphora cases than in controls (p = 0.05 and 0.03, respectively). Trends for higher scores for congestion and discharge were not statistically significant (p = 0.06 and 0.07, respectively). Mucosal edema and discharge were significantly more common on endoscopy in the epiphora cases than in the control cases (p < 0.02). CONCLUSION: We have shown an association between rhinosinusitis and acquired epiphora, and this would be consistent with chronic rhinosinusitis being the cause of the epiphora in some cases.

Adult↗

Figure-of-eight vertical mattress suture technique for anterior flap suspension to overlying tissues in external dacryocystorhinostomy.

PURPOSE: To describe figure-of-eight vertical mattress suture technique in external dacryocystorhinostomy for a combined one-step closure of anterior mucosal flaps and overlying wound tissues and to evaluate its effectiveness on surgical outcome. DESIGN: A prospective, single surgeon, uncontrolled, interventional case series. METHODS: A total of 112 consecutive lacrimal drainage systems of 106 patients (84 women, 22 men; 100 unilateral, six bilateral) from June 2002 to January 2006 with acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction without canalicular disease underwent external dacryocystorhinostomy with this modified technique. Relief of epiphora and anatomic patency were defined as success. Operative time and success rate were evaluated and advantages were stressed and compared with our previous reports. RESULTS: Mean age was 40.1 years (range, 6 to 75). The etiology was idiopathic in 109 patients and traumatic in three cases. Of 112 lacrimal drainage systems, epiphora was the presenting symptom in 88, combined epiphora and recurrent dacryocystitis in 15, and combined epiphora and mucocele in nine cases. Seven lacrimal drainage systems were revision cases. Mean follow-up was 26.3 months (range, 6 to 48). Success rate was 99.1% (111/112) and mean operative time was 38.2 minutes (range, 28 to 69). CONCLUSIONS: Such a modified suture technique reveals a rapid and simultaneous one-step closure of two different layers that speeds up surgical procedure; simplifies closure process as the knots are tied completely outside the wound, avoiding the disadvantages of suture tying in a small and deep area; eliminates the dead space between anterior flaps and overlying wound tissues; keeps anterior mucosal flap complex away from posterior flaps that prevents collapse back onto the anastomosis and decreases the possibility of mucosal adhesions and, therefore, fibrotic band formation with underlying tissues that may also be useful in cases with small sacs or osseous openings and in revision cases where scarring is a large concern.

Adolescent↗

Tear dynamics and dry eye.

Tears undergo four processes: production by the lacrimal gland, distribution by blinking, evaporation from the ocular surface and drainage through the nasolacrimal duct. Abnormalities in any of these steps can cause dry eye. There are two kinds of tear production, basic and reflex, which can be distinguished from each other by the Schirmer test with nasal stimulation. Reflex tearing is important because it supplies such essential components as EGF and vitamin A, whose deficiency may cause squamous metaplasia. There is no reflex tearing in Sjogren's syndrome because of destruction of the lacrimal gland. In cases of diminished or absent reflex tearing, topical autologous serum is the treatment of choice. Even when there is adequate tear production, insufficient distribution, such as occurs with the decreased blinking associated with the use of video display terminals (VDT), may cause dry eye. Any process or activity that suppresses blinking interferes with tear distribution. Tear evaporation increases under certain conditions and in some diseases. When the exposed ocular surface area is increased, such as in VDT work, tear evaporation increases. Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) also causes increased tear evaporation by altering the quality of the oily layer in tears. Tear evaporation can be suppressed by using a warm compresser or a humidifier, narrowing the palpebral fissure, or wearing protective eyeglasses. The tear clearance rate is measured by fluorescein dye dilution in the conjunctiva. When the tear clearance is low, inflammatory cytokines or preservatives accumulate in the conjunctival sac, resulting in ocular surface diseases. Frequent use of artificial tears without preservative is the key treatment. A differential diagnosis of the abnormalities of tear dynamics can give us a proper understanding of the pathogenesis of dry eye. With this knowledge, we can formulate an efficient therapeutic approach.

Blinking↗

Patient satisfaction in our initial experience with endonasal endoscopic non-laser dacryocystorhinostomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EN-DCR) is now a well-established procedure to relieve nasolacrimal duct obstruction. In the past, attempts have been made to comment on the anatomical success of the procedure. However, no studies have been conducted to evaluate patient satisfaction with the EN non-laser DCR procedure in comparison with the surgeon's experience. METHODS: Records of patients undergoing EN-DCR and external DCR (ET-DCR) surgery were reviewed. A telephone questionnaire was used to assess patient satisfaction with both procedures. Data were analyzed with Fisher's exact test and the chi-square test. RESULTS: Twenty primary EN-DCR's and 16 revision EN-DCR's were performed by the same surgeon (RM) over a three-year period. At last review, 89% of ET-DCR and 75% of EN-DCR procedures were noted to have a patent sac washout performed in the eye clinic. A telephonic interview revealed no significant difference between the surgical outcome [15/20 (75%)] and patient satisfaction [14/20 (70%)] with the primary EN-DCR procedure. Patient satisfaction with revision EN-DCR [10/16 (63%)] was slightly poorer than the surgical outcome recorded for revision EN-DCR [12/16 (75%)] but this was also not statistically significant. Telephonic interview was possible for 42/64 (66%) patients undergoing primary external ET-DCR's and a total of 36/42 (86%) patients were satisfied with the procedure. Patient age, laterality, duration of symptoms, previous ocular procedures or preexisting ocular disease and associated ENT procedures did not alter the surgical result or patient satisfaction in either group. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that patient satisfaction with endoscopic endonasal non-laser DCR for primary or revision DCR surgery is comparable to that with the external-DCR technique since there was no significant difference in patient satisfaction between the two groups of patients. Patient perception of their symptomatic improvement was lower (though not statistically significant) in relation to the final clinical assessment of the outcome of both primary and revision EN-DCR.

Adult↗