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Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the morphologic change in the lacrimal drainage system using dacryocystography in patients with unilateral epiphora with patent lacrimal drainage system.
Methods
Clinical records of patients referred to our clinic for epiphora between October 2007 and August 2011 were reviewed. The study group included 38 patients who had symptoms of unilateral epiphora with patent lacrimal drainage system. The studied patients included 10 males and 28 females with ages varying between 24 and 72 years.
Results
Abnormal dacryocystographic findings in the tearing eye were 78.9% and abnormal dacryocystographic findings in the asymptomatic eye were 47.4%. Common abnormal findings included distal nasolacrimal duct stenosis, distal nasolacrimal duct dilatation and nasolacrimal sac dilatation.
Conclusions
In many cases, morphologic change in the lacrimal drainage system was observed in patients with unilateral epiphora with patent lacrimal drainage system. Dacryocystographic findings may contribute in devising a treatment plan for these patients. J Korean Ophthalmol Soc 2013;54(6):839–844
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Figure 1.
Abnormal findings in symptomatic eyes were identified in 30 patients, whereas abnormal findings in asymptomatic eyes were in 18 patients, which proved to be statistically significant.
Figure 2.
The findings of dacryocystography in unilateral epiphora with patent lacrimal drainage system include normal (A), sac dilation (B, E), proximal nasolacimal duct dilation (C), mid nasolacimal duct stenosis (B, D), distal nasolacimal duct dilation (B, C), distal nasolacimal duct stenosis (E), and total nasolacimal duct dilatation (F).
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