Usefulness of the dacryoscintigraphy in patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction prior to endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy

Association between septoplasty, Lund-Mackay score and Lund-Kennedy score with endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy results

PURPOSE

To compare endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (endo-DCR) + septoplasty with endo-DCR alone and determine the relationship between sinusitis and endo-DCR surgery results.

METHODS

Our study included 55 patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) between June 2017 and June 2019. Patients were divided into two groups as endo-DCR alone and endo-DCR + septoplasty. Patients' symptoms were thoroughly evaluated and scored using the Lund-Mackay (LM) score and the Lund-Kennedy (LK) system. According to LK endoscopy scoring; those with a score of 0 were determined as group 1 (40 (58.8%) cases); and those with a score greater than 0 were determined as group 2 (28(41.2%) cases). According to LM CT scoring system, cases whose score was 0 were determined as group 1 (44(%66.2) cases); those greater than 0 were determined as group 2 (23(33.8%) cases).

RESULTS

A total of 68 endo-DCR surgeries, 42 unilateral and 13 bilateral, were performed. Forty one cases (60.3%) were managed with endo-DCR alone, and septoplasty surgery was performed in 27 (39.7%) cases in addition to endo-DCR due to septum deviation. There was no statistically significant difference in functional and anatomical success between the two groups in terms of surgery type (anatomical success p = .353, functional success p = .528); LK endoscopy scoring (anatomical success p = .956, functional success p = .925) and LM CT scoring system (anatomical success p = .202, functional success p = .172).

CONCLUSION

LK endoscopy and LM CT scores did not show any influence on functional and anatomic outcomes in endo-DCR cases.

Ocular Biodistribution Studies using Molecular Imaging

Classical methodologies used in ocular pharmacokinetics studies have difficulties to obtain information about topical and intraocular distribution and clearance of drugs and formulations. This is associated with multiple factors related to ophthalmic physiology, as well as the complexity and invasiveness intrinsic to the sampling. Molecular imaging is a new diagnostic discipline for in vivo imaging, which is emerging and spreading rapidly. Recent developments in molecular imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), allow obtaining reliable pharmacokinetic data, which can be translated into improving the permanence of the ophthalmic drugs in its action site, leading to dosage optimisation. They can be used to study either topical or intraocular administration. With these techniques it is possible to obtain real-time visualisation, localisation, characterisation and quantification of the compounds after their administration, all in a reliable, safe and non-invasive way. None of these novel techniques presents simultaneously high sensitivity and specificity, but it is possible to study biological procedures with the information provided when the techniques are combined. With the results obtained, it is possible to assume that molecular imaging techniques are postulated as a resource with great potential for the research and development of new drugs and ophthalmic delivery systems.