A Case Series of Dacryoendoscopy in Childhood: A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Alternative for Complex Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction Even in the First Year of Life.
Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) is the most common cause of epiphora in infancy. Spontaneous resolution occurs in the majority of the cases by 1 year of age. Nevertheless, obstruction has a negative impact on the outcome of conservative or surgical therapy, especially in cases of complex CNLDO. When the condition persists beyond several months, early intervention with dacryoendoscopy (DE) around the age of 1 year could yield good results. The objective of the study is to analyze the success rate and effectiveness of early DE for complex CNLDO in the first year of life.



A retrospective, non-comparative case series is presented. DE was performed under general anesthesia in patients between the age of 1 and 12 months with severe recurrent acute or chronic dacryocystitis. The medical histories, intraoperative and postoperative results after 3 months as well as via parents' interviews were analyzed to investigate the success rate.



A total of 18 consecutive DE in 16 patients between the age of 1 and 12 months (mean 7.3 ± 3.4 months) were studied. Nine lacrimal ducts were diagnosed with persistent chronic dacryocystitis refractory to probing/syringing. The remaining 9 presented recurrent acute dacryocystitis. Diagnostic DE was performed in 18 cases. A therapeutic DE was conducted in 15 lacrimal ducts (83.3%) with simultaneous correction of the associated stenosiswith the tip of the endoscope. A visual controlled opening of the stenosis was impossible in 3 cases due to a too narrow presaccal anatomy (n = 1), an osseous duct stenosis (n = 1), and a bulging membrane of Hasner into the inferior nasal meatus (n = 1). Postoperative findings were classified into four categories: poor, fair, good and excellent. Good results were documented in 16.7% (n = 3) and excellent results in 77.7% (n = 14). The bony obstruction was treated with dacryocystorhinostomy. A minimum follow-up of 3 months was considered for final clinical analysis. Ten patients' parents (12 surgeries) were interviewed by telephone (mean follow-up 24.8 months). No recurrence of stenosis and no further postoperative complications were observed.



DE is a diagnostic and therapeutic option for complex CNLDO in patients before the age of 1 year. The outcome of DE in the 3 months follow-up is highly indicative of positive final results in terms of patency of the lacrimal duct.
Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Martin Luther University Halle/Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany. jens.heichel@uk-halle.de.
Jens
J
Heichel
Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Martin Luther University Halle/Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.
Hans-Gert
HG
Struck
Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Martin Luther University Halle/Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.
Miltiadis
M
Fiorentzis
Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Martin Luther University Halle/Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.
Thomas
T
Hammer
Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Martin Luther University Halle/Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.
Timm
T
Bredehorn-Mayr
D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction; Dacryocystitis; Dacryoendoscopy; Epiphora; Lacrimal intubation; Minimally invasive surgery; Ophthalmology; Pediatric ophthalmology