title: Prevention of radiation-induced stenosis of the nasolacrimal duct.
abstract: Epiphora is a recognized complication of radiotherapy of medial canthal tumours. We reviewed the records of 36 patients who underwent prophylactic nasolacrimal duct intubation with silicone tubing before superficial x-ray beam therapy and 42 patients who did not undergo intubation before radiotherapy. The mean length of follow-up was 3.4 years in the intubated group and 7.2 years in the nonintubated group. A total of 31% of the patients in the nonintubated group reported chronic epiphora during the follow-up period, compared with 6% in the intubated group (p less than 0.003).
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: de Smet
authors.forename: F V
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Buffam
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Fairey
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Voss
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000528:radiation effects; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012826:Silicone Elastomers