title: Nasolacrimal drainage system obstruction after orbital decompression.
abstract: We reviewed 123 cases of orbital decompression in 63 patients with dysthyroid ophthalmopathy. Of 90 cases of transantral ethmoidal orbital decompression, 14 (16%) resulted in epiphora. The tearing began between 11 and 18 months after surgery. All patients had obstruction distal to the common internal punctum. The delayed onset suggested progressive cicatricial obstruction of the nasolacrimal drainage system. Damage to adjacent tissues probably caused scarring to extend into the system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco 94143.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Seiff
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shorr
mesh_terms: D002559:Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / Q000209:etiology; D004172:Diplopia / Q000209:etiology; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D009900:Optic Nerve; D009915:Orbit / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000150:complications