title: Pathology and imaging of the lacrimal drainage system.
abstract: The lacrimal drainage apparatus drains tears from the eye. The system is susceptible to a multitude of pathologic findings, including obstruction, infection, inflammation, and neoplasms. The diagnosis of several of these processes is aided by the use of radiologic studies. In conjunction with dacryocystography, cross-sectional modalities, such as CT and MR imaging have improved the ability of diagnostic imaging to characterize the obstructive nature and soft tissue or osseous changes of various disease processes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Illinois Hospital at Chicago, University of Illinois College of Medicine, 1801 West Taylor Street, MC 711, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
authors.forename: Sameer A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ansari
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pak
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shields
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology