title: Lacrimal scintigraphy in the diagnosis of epiphora.
abstract: The value of lacrimal scintigraphy in the assessment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction was determined by comparing the results with syringing in 67 patients (83 eyes). As expected, of 28 lacrimal drainage systems which were obstructed on syringing, 23 (82%) had abnormalities of tear drainage on scintigraphy. However, in 55 lacrimal drainage systems that were patent on syringing, 19 (35%) were normal, but in 36 (65%) abnormalities not apparent on syringing were detected on scintigraphy. Thus scintigraphy is a very useful technique in the assessment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction particularly in systems patent on syringing. Since the site of obstruction can be determined, lacrimal scintigraphy can facilitate the planning of the appropriate surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: I T
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Hanna
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: MacEwen
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kennedy
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013594:Syringes; D013667:Technetium; D017556:Technetium Compounds; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000295:instrumentation; D014001:Tin; D017971:Tin Compounds
chemical_list: D017556:Technetium Compounds; D017971:Tin Compounds; C033493:technetium Tc 99m tin colloid; D013667:Technetium; D014001:Tin