Determining the incidence of paranasal sinus abnomalities during nasolacrimal duct obstruction

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the association between nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) and paranasal sinus abnomalities and to demonstrate the role of this association in the etiology. Materials and Methods: 50 patients diagnosed with nasolacrimal duct obstruction and 38 subjects with no obstruction (control group) were included in this study at a tertiary health institution. Each patient underwent an endoscopic examination and a paranasal sinus computed tomography evaluation. Thereafter, nasal pathologies, such as concha bullosa, chronic sinusitis, septal deviation, and turbinate hypertrophy, were identified. Results: Concha bullosa was detected in 26 (52%) patients with NLDO and 12 (31.6%) members of the control group. The difference between the groups was not statistically significant (p=0.057). A statistically significant correlation was found between the presence of NLDO with septal deviation and chronic sinusitis, while no association was discovered between NLDO and turbinate hypertrophy. Conclusion: We believe that the possible nasal pathologies that can accompany NLDO should be kept in mind in the evaluation of patients scheduled for surgery, and that preoperative nasal cavity evaluation should be considered for this reason.