title: Treatment of recurrent nasolacrimal duct obstructions with balloon-expandable metallic stents: results of early experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of Palmaz balloon-expandable metallic stents for the maintenance of luminal patency in the treatment of recurrent nasolacrimal duct, obstructions after failed transluminal balloon dilatation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Metallic stents were implanted in the nasolacrimal duct of four patients with recurrent epiphora. All the patients had already undergone transluminal balloon dilatation of the nasolacrimal duct with no or only temporary improvement. In two eyes, 9.5-mm-long Palmaz stents were used; in the other two eyes, 20-mm-long articulated-design Palmaz stents were placed under digital fluoroscopic monitoring. In each case, the upper tip protruded slightly into the lacrimal sac and the lower end was positioned inside the nasolacrimal duct.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The stents were placed accurately in all cases, and no complications were observed. After stent placement, all patients had complete resolution of epiphora. During the follow-up period of 10 months, although complete obstruction did not occur in any case, complete resolution of epiphora was maintained only in one of four eyes. In two eyes, improvement was remarkable. In one eye with partial improvement, intrastent balloon dilatation was performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment of recurrent nasolacrimal duct obstructions with balloon-expandable metallic stents is a noninvasive, efficient, and safe outpatient procedure that may be an alternative to surgery as a means for managing epiphora.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, School of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: E T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Ilgit
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yüksel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Unal
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akpek
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Isik
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome