Korean J Nucl Med.  2000 Dec;34(6):508-515.

Diagnosis of Functional Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction Using Dacryoscintigraphy

• Lim HW
• Son HS
• Kim EN
• Jung YA
• Kim SH
• Jung SG

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the value of dacryoscintigraphy in the assessment of patients with a clinical diagnosis of functional nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Dacryoscintigraphy was performed in symptomatic 35 lacrimal drainage systems in 18 patients (age range: 37~76, 8 males, 10 females) that were patent on syringing.
RESULTS
Abnormalities were detected with dacryoscintigraphy in 75.8% of systems. The positive scintigrams were subdivided into those demonstrating prelacrimal sac delay (31.8%), delay at the lacrimal sac/junction (40.9%), or delay within the duct (27%).
CONCLUSION
Dacryoscintigraphy is noninvasive useful technique in the assessment of the functional nasolacrimal duct obstruction and very sensitive at detecting abnormalities in patients with lid laxity caused by senile change and facial nerve palsy.

Keyword

Dacryoscintigraphy; Functional nasolacrimal obstruction; 99mTc-pertechnetate

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis*
Drainage
Facial Nerve
Humans
Male
Nasolacrimal Duct*
Paralysis