Scintigraphy and contrast radiography for epiphora

Abstract

During a one-year period 53 patients were referred for the investigation of epiphora. All underwent bilateral dacryoscintigraphy. Following the isotope study the patients had either bilateral or unilateral macrodacryocystography; a total of 66 tear ducts were shown by this procedure. The scintigraphs were more sensitive for obstruction (51/66 systems or 77%) than radiography (33/66 systems or 51%). Normal dacryoscintigraphy was always associated with duct patency on dacryocystography. We have concluded that scintigraphy should always be the first investigation and that, if this is normal, radiography is not necessary. The use of digital subtraction imaging for the lacrimal passages is discussed. It is suggested that this may provide information obtained at present only by combining dacryoscintigraphy with conventional contrast radiography.

Clinical value of dacryoscintigraphy using a simplified analysis

“…Similar observations were reported by Rose et al, who compared dacryocystography with scintigraphy and found better sensitivity (77% vs 51%) for scintigraphy. Like syringing, this confirms the non-physiological character of dacryocystography [14]. In line with these observations, Nixon and colleagues concluded that the results of dacryocystography had no relevant influence on the choice of treatment [12].…”

The role of “after washing imaging” in evaluation of tear drainage system by dacryoscintigraphy

“…The sensitivities of lacrimal scintigraphy for detecting obstruction in the symptomatic patients were reported 81.6% by Jabbour et al, 77% by Rose et al and 95% by Wearne et al The sensitivity of 96.3% and specificity of 90.4% were reported by Fard-Esfahani et al [14][15][16][17]. Our study showed high sensitivity (96.3%) and specificity (75.5%) as shown by previous studies mentioned above especially having the "after wash" studies.…”

Interventionelle radiologische Therapie der Tr�nenwege

“…Rückschlüsse hinsichtlich der Ursache der Tränenwegsabflussbehinderung sind jedoch im Gegensatz zur Dakryozystographie mittels der DSG nicht möglich [21,44].…”