Canaliculorhinostomy-Indications and Surgical Results

Re-establishing Lacrimal drainage by Canaliculorhinostomy, after dacryocystectomy - A viable option in symptomatic patients

Purpose

To evaluate the outcome and efficacy of a modified technique of canaliculo-dacryocystorhinostomy (canaliculoDCR) in the complete absence of lacrimal sac, as a means to re-establish lacrimal drainage in post dacryocystectomy(DCT) patients.

Methods

A retrospective, non-randomised interventional study including 15 proven and established post DCT patients with intact canaliculi of at least 7- 8mm. The patients presented with bothersome tearing to the Oculoplasty clinic from January 2017 to January 2018. Patients were operated by a single surgeon (ST). Procedure involved creating a bony ostium of optimum size, internal membranectomy and the nasal mucosal flap anchored appropriately to create a passage in line with the common canaliculus(CC). Adjunctively bicanalicular intubation and mitomycin- C (MMC) were used.

Results

Of the 15 patients who were operated,10 females and 5 males, 14 (93.33%) had functionally and anatomically patent lacrimal passage after the modified canaliculoDCR, 1 (6.66%) was symptomatically better with partial regurgitation of clear fluid. 3(20%) had tube prolapse after first month post operatively, which although significant, was not related to the technique. They were repositioned as an office procedure and retained thereafter till removal, no other tube related or MMC related sequelae was seen. No intra operative complication was encountered.

Conclusion

With a success rate of 93.33% and a resultant patent lacrimal tear drainage passage and trivial complication such as tube prolapse, we can conclude, this technique of modified canaliculoDCR in post DCT patients is a safe and effective procedure with promising results, thereby avoiding cumbersome methods and maintenance of Jones tube while at the same time providing symptomatic relief to the patients.

Restrictive Strabismus Developing after Conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy

Purpose: To report a case of diplopia caused by restrictive strabismus developing after conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy (CDCR).Case summary: A 61-year-old female presented with persistent epiphora after failure to repair ipsilateral canalicular lacerations of the left eye caused by trauma occurred 25 years ago. CDCR was performed and the epiphora improved. Four months later, the patient presented with diplopia on the left gaze. An abduction limitation of -4 and a supraduction limitation of -3 were observed in the left eye. Therefore, Jones tube removal was performed 5 months after CDCR surgery. Two weeks later, as the limitations persisted, adhesiolysis of the conjunctiva and an amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) were performed. This exposed a subconjunctival adhesion at the inferonasal conjunctiva; histopathological examination revealed fibrotic tissues. Three months later, the adhesions recurred and the patient was transferred to another hospital. Conjunctival adhesiolysis, AMT, and a 6.5 mm recession of medial rectus (MR) muscle were performed. One week later, exotropia occurred in the primary position, and the MR muscle of the left eye was advanced by 2 mm. Nine months after the final surgery, the primary gaze was orthotropia. The diplopia within the central 20° of visual field had disappeared. However, a levoelevation limitation of -1.5 remained in the left eye.Conclusions: CDCR is the only treatment method for patients with occlusion of both the upper and lower proximal lacrimal canaliculi. However, rare complications such as restrictive strabismus with diplopia may occur. As preventing adhesion is difficult, sufficient patient notice is required prior to surgery.

Proximal lacrimal obstructions: a review

PURPOSE

The aims of the review are to summarize the aethiopathogenesis, management and outcomes of different treatments of proximal lacrimal obstructions.

METHODS

An electronic database (PubMed, MEDLINE and Google Scholar) search of all articles written in English and non-English language with abstract translated to English on proximal lacrimal obstructions was performed. The articles were reviewed along with their relevant cross references. Data reviewed included demographics, presentations, investigations, management, complications and outcomes.

RESULTS

Punctoplasty is as effective as punctal dilatation with monocanalicular or bicanalicular stent in case of punctal stenosis. Dacryocystorhinostomy with retrograde intubation is more effective in case of proximal canalicular obstructions than in case of mid-canalicular obstructions. Trephination and intubation is effective in both mid and distal canalicular obstructions in patients with no associated nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Canaliculodacryocystorhinostomy has a specific indication in case of proximal common canalicular obstruction. Bypass surgery is the preferred treatment if there is no residual patency, however surgical success may not match patient satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

Optimal choice of surgical method depends on identification of the site of obstruction. Mini-invasive techniques should be avoided in cases that would only benefit from standard surgical treatment.

Endoscopic transnasal canaliculorhinostomy for refractory common canalicular obstruction with an unidentifiable lacrimal sac

AIM

To describe the role of endoscopic transnasal canaliculorhinostomy (ETC) in refractory common canalicular obstruction (CCO) associated with an absent or unidentifiable lacrimal sac.

METHODS

The records of patients with refractory CCO who underwent ETC at the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from October 2007 to December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Fifty-six patients (56 eyes) with refractory CCO were recruited into the study. Eight patients were excluded due to the presence of a residual lacrimal sac or failure to complete the follow-up duration. The anatomic and functional success rates were both 85.4% (41/48) at a mean follow-up of 18.6mo. Five cases failed as a result of ostial synechia and two failed because of ostial obstruction by granulation. Postoperative complications included mild nasal bleeding in 5 cases, dried nasal feeling in 8 cases, and olfactory dysfunction in 4 cases.

CONCLUSION

Although being surgically challenging, ETC has comparable findings to its external approach counterpart or conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy (CDCR) with Jones tube. And it may prove to be a novel alternate surgical technique for patients with refractory CCO without identifiable lacrimal sac.

Clinical utility of SPECT/CT and CT-dacryocystography-enhanced dacryoscintigraphy in the imaging of lacrimal drainage system obstruction

Purpose

Epiphora is commonly caused by a relative or complete occlusion in the lacrimal drainage system (LDS), principally a nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO). Dacryoscintigraphy (DSG), an extensively assessed imaging technique in diagnosing its abnormalities, can provide only planar images, according to which it needs to be improved. Our aim was to evaluate clinical utility of simultaneous DSG and single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) combined with computed tomographic dacryocystography (CT-DCG) in the evaluation of LDS.

Methods

Dynamic imaging with DSG was performed, and tracer radioactivity was detected by a gamma camera. Successively, SPECT/CT images of the involved region were gained, followed by CT-DCG, during which a contrast medium was syringed into the affected LDS, and finally contrast CT scans were obtained again from the same region.

Results

Fifty-seven patients, mean age 54.25 (± 18.26) years all with unilateral NLDO and 32 control subjects, all with patent LDS, mean age 49.88 (± 18.61) years were evaluated in the study. Delayed outflow of tearing eyes was exposed to DSG compared to the fellow and control eyes. The highest value for sensitivity was observed for SPECT/CT, followed by CT-DCG and DSG techniques, while combining DSG with SPECT/CT, DSG with CT-DCG, and SPECT/CT with CT-DCG, the sensitivity increased to 96.49%, 92.98%, and 94.73%, respectively.

Conclusions

Although DSG is a sensitive nuclear medicine method, it only provides useful clinical data when simultaneously supplemented with SPECT/CT and CT-DCG trials as they jointly can offer valuable information about the localization of an abnormality and verify stenosis or obstruction.