Salivary gland dysfunction and nasolacrimal duct obstruction: stenotic changes following I-131 therapy.
Radioactive iodine has long been used in the treatment of cancers of the thyroid. While salivary complications secondary to I-131 therapy in association with xerophthalmia are well documented, there is little in the literature addressing simultaneous nasolacrimal duct obstruction with salivary gland dysfunction. The authors present 2 patients with epiphora from bilateral nasolacrimal duct obstruction and concurrent sialadenitis following I-131 ablation therapy for papillary thyroid carcinoma. These cases highlight the lacrimal and salivary duct complications resulting from I-131 therapy, introduce the possibility of a shared mechanism of damage, and demonstrate the availability of effective treatments for both conditions. Ophthalmologists see patients with epiphora from I-131 therapy and should be aware of the possible concurrent symptoms caused by salivary duct stenosis to make timely and appropriate referrals.
*Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City; †Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts; and Departments of ‡Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, §Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, and ‖Oral Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, U.S.A.
Mack W
MW
Savage
Rachel K
RK
Sobel
Henry T
HT
Hoffman
Keith D
KD
Carter
Michael W
MW
Finkelstein
Erin M
EM
Shriver
D002277:Carcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012793:Sialadenitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D000077273:Thyroid Cancer, Papillary; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D013965:Thyroidectomy
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes