The correlation of clinical lacrimal bone density and thickness, established at the time of DCR surgery, with systemic bone mineral densitometry testing.
BACKGROUND. Due to a growing concern with regard to the relationship between osteoporosis and fractures, we wished to examine the correlation of systemic bone density with lacrimal bone characteristics (thickness and density), as measured at the time of dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). Significant correlation would suggest that oculoplastic surgeons may screen for osteoporosis during DCR. METHODS. A prospective study of the bone mineral density in patients (n=32) undergoing DCR was conducted. During DCR, the lacrimal bone thickness and density were estimated clinically. Postoperatively, the systemic bone density was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanning. The data were analyzed using Student's t-test, Pearson correlation and Pearson chi-square methods. RESULTS. Analyzed in a bivariate arrangement, significant correlation (p<0.05) was detected between the systemic bone density (as measured at two sites, the femoral head and lumbar spine) and the lacrimal bone characteristics (thickness and density). Therefore, the lower the lacrimal bone thickness or density, the lower the systemic bone density. INTERPRETATION. With the finding of significant correlation between lacrimal bone thickness and density and systemic bone density, oculoplastic surgeons can screen for osteoporosis during DCR. If low-density thin bone is encountered during DCR, the patient's general practitioner should be alerted.
Oestreicher
James H.
JH
Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Chung
Hans T.
HT
Hurwitz
Jeffrey J.
JJ