Dacryops with extensive lacrimal and maxillary bone defects in four dogs

Endoscopy-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy in a dog

OBJECTIVE

To describe the use of an endoscope to assist in performing minimally invasive dacryocystorhinostomy in a dog to successfully manage a nasolacrimal duct cyst (dacryocyst).

ANIMAL STUDIED

A 4-year-old female spayed American Staffordshire Terrier with chronic epiphora and swelling ventromedial to the nasal canthus of the right eye and reverse sneezing.

PROCEDURES

Computed tomography revealed a fluid-filled cystic lesion of the right nasolacrimal duct with extensive nasal extension and secondary obstructive frontal sinusitis. Aspiration of serosanguinous fluid with no growth of microbial organisms and histopathology confirmed the cystic nature of the structure. A 2.7 mm, 30 deg, 11 cm foreward-oblique endoscope with arthroscopic cannula was passed through a mucosal stab incision in the dorsal buccal recess into the cyst to allow for exploration. A separate instrument portal was placed in the center of the cyst through the skin which allowed for transcutaneous dacryocystorhinostomy with a meniscal probe to be performed. No clear communication was evident caudodorsally into the frontal sinus on endoscope examination. A small frontal sinus trephination was performed and lavage flowed easily into the cystic cavity and out of the nostril.

RESULTS

Follow-up at 10 days and 17 months postoperatively showed complete resolution of clinical signs with an excellent cosmetic outcome.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopy-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy demonstrated an effective minimally invasive technique to treat a functionally obstructive dacryocyst of the right nasolacrimal duct in a dog.

Laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy of acquired dacryops in a dog

OBJECTIVE

To describe a novel minimally invasive surgical approach to treatment of a nasolacrimal duct cyst in a dog and outcome.

ANIMAL STUDIED

A 10-year-old, male entire, Springer Spaniel with a chronic right-sided maxillary swelling and associated right eye epiphora and sneezing.

PROCEDURE

Computed tomography with dacryocystography confirmed a cystic structure and destruction of the right maxilla and zygomatic bone with invasion of the nasal cavity. Obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct was confirmed. Rhinoscopy was performed allowing visualization of the ventromedial wall of the cyst. Under direct visualization, dacryocystorhinostomy was performed and the wall of the cyst was ablated with the aid of a thulium laser fiber.

RESULTS

No intraoperative complications occurred during the procedure. Full resolution of clinical signs was noted within 2 weeks of treatment. No recurrence had occurred on long-term follow-up at 32 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Laser-assisted dacrocystorhinostomy under direct visualization was successful in the treatment and resolution of a nasolacrimal duct cyst (dacryops) in this case.

Dacryops with dacryolithiasis in a dog

Background

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion