Reliability of air bubble test in assessment of anatomical and functional success after external dacryocystorhinostomy.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the sensitivity and specificity of air bubble test (ABT) for anatomical and functional success after external dacryocystorhinostomy (Ext-DCR).


METHODS
In a retrospective interventional case series, patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction who had undergone Ext-DCR procedure were included. Functional success was defined as no symptom or mild excess tear in the cold weather and anatomical success as free irrigation at last follow-up time (at least 6 months). Air bubble test was performed by putting antibiotic drops into the eye and asking the patient to exhale while keeping the nose and mouth closed. Formation of bubbles inside the eye (hissing noise) was considered as positive test. Specificity, sensitivity, and positive and negative predictive values were then calculated for both anatomical and functional success.


RESULTS
There were 85 procedures in 77 patients. Anatomical and overall functional success was 98.8% (84/85) and 95.3% (81/85), respectively. Air bubble test showed a sensitivity of 82.1% and specificity of 100% for the anatomical success after Ext-DCR. Sensitivity and specificity were 83.9% and 75% for the functional success.


CONCLUSIONS
Positive ABT indicated no anatomical failure after Ext-DCR in this series.
Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Unit, Eye Research Center, Rassoul Akram Hospital, Iran university of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mohsen Bahmani
MB
Kashkouli
Mansooreh
M
Jamshidian-Tehrani
Sahab
S
Shahrzad
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000388:Air; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy / Q000379:methods*; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D045423:Microbubbles; D008875:Middle Aged; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000601:surgery*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult