title: Endoscopic examination of the nasolacrimal duct in ten horses.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  No endoscopic examination of the nasolacrimal duct has been described before. In contrast with other imaging techniques, endoscopy provides a direct inspection of the intralumen and ductal mucosa in standing sedation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To provide a reference against which the endoscopic and clinical features of obstructive nasolacrimal disease in the horse may be compared.
  
  
  METHODS
  Endoscopic examination of the nasolacrimal duct was performed in 10 French Thoroughbred bay mares with a 3 mm shaft diameter flexible fibrescope. The duct was divided into 3 zones (1, 2 and 3) from the nostril to the lacrimal sac.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Endoscopic examination of the nasolacrimal duct appeared to be quite easy to perform in Zones 1 and 2, while the ease or difficulty of examining Zone 3 depended on the weight and size of the horse for the position of the endoscope in the lacrimal canal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscopic inspection has provided the possibility of a novel diagnostic approach to conditions of the nasolacrimal duct in horses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscopic examination of the nasolacrimal duct could help to diagnose and treat nasolacrimal diseases by performing sample withdrawal and duct irrigation.
authors: Veterinary Clinical Department, University of Bologna, Italy.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Spadari
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Spinella
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Grandis
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Romagnoli
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Pietra