Nasolacrimal Duct Probing Research Articles

Effects of medication methods after simple and effective probing of lacrimal passage.

To evaluate the effect of reducing the use of antibiotics in the treatment of infant bacterial dacryocystitis after probing of the lacrimal duct. A total of 542 cases of children under one year old and accepting nasolacrimal duct probing treatment were divided into two groups, which were treated with topical and oral antibiotics, respectively. Conjunctival sac secretions were used as a control index of bacterial infection, whereas the disappearance of epiphora symptoms and lacrimal passage patency were used as cure indexes. The χ (2) test was used to compare enumeration and measurement data, and a statistical significance was set at P<0.05. The therapeutic effect on the two groups of postoperative patients was investigated. In the two study groups, no significant differences in gender, age and postoperative control of lacrimal sac infection were observed. The cure rates after three probing operations also showed no significant difference. After probing of the lacrimal passage, results of this study confirmed that postoperative medication without oral antibiotics but an ophthalmic dosage of antibiotics was a simple and effective treatment method.

Evaluation and treatment of failed nasolacrimal duct probing in Down syndrome

To elucidate the mechanisms underlying failed nasolacrimal duct (NLD) probing in children with Down syndrome (DS) utilizing computed tomography (CT) scans and histopathology of nasal mucosa. The medical records of children with DS and NLD obstruction confirmed by dye disappearance testing who failed NLD surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Dimensions of the bony NLD and presence of postductal mucosal obstruction were obtained from CT scans. Histopathology of the nasal mucosa was performed in a subset of patients. Subsequent treatment was topical or intranasal corticosteroids or submucosal corticosteroids alone or combined with surgical reduction of the inferior turbinate. A total of 9 subjects (age range, 8-10 years) and 43 age-matched controls were included. Both groups demonstrated a logarithmic increase in NLD and maxilla dimensions with increasing age; however, the transverse diameter of the NLD was consistently 1-2 mm smaller in children with DS ≤5 years age (n = 4) than in age-matched controls. The transverse diameter in DS children overlapped that of controls after 5 years age. Histopathology revealed abnormal lymphoplasmacytic inflammation of the mucosa in 4 of 5 biopsies of DS patients, consistent with chronic infection, allergic disease, or immune dysregulation. The postductal obstruction was successfully treated with topical or intranasal corticosteroids or by surgical reduction of the inferior turbinate submucosa with corticosteroid injection. Before 5 years of age, NLD obstruction in children with DS was associated with reduced dimensions of the NLD and hypertrophic nasal mucosa. In DS children older than 5 years of age, the dimensions of the NLD are normal and postductal obstruction due to hypertrophic nasal mucosa should be considered.

Office probing for treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction in infants

To determine whether demographic or clinical factors are associated with the outcome of office-based nasolacrimal duct probing for the treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO). In two multicenter prospective studies, 384 eyes of 304 children aged 6 to <15 months with NLDO underwent a nasolacrimal duct probing performed in the office using topical anesthesia. Treatment success, defined as no clinical signs of NLDO (epiphora, increased tear lake, or mucous discharge) and no reoperation, was assessed 1 month after probing in one study and 6 months after probing in the other study. Data from both studies were pooled to evaluate associations between baseline characteristics and treatment success. Office probing was successful in 75% of eyes overall (95% CI, 70%-80%). The procedure was less successful in eyes of children with bilateral NLDO compared with unilateral NLDO (63% vs 80%; relative risk = 0.78 [95% CI, 0.66-0.92]) and in eyes that had 2 or 3 clinical signs of NLDO compared with one (71% vs 83%; relative risk = 0.88 [95% CI, 0.81-0.96]). Treatment success did not appear to be related to age, specific clinical signs of NLDO, prior treatment, or research study. Performing nasolacrimal duct probing in the office successfully treats NLDO in the majority of cases in children aged 6 to <15 months. The success rate is lower with bilateral disease or when more than one clinical sign of NLDO is present.

Success rates of endoscopic-assisted probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children

To determine the success rate of initial probing in children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction at different ages, using nasal endoscopy. Fifty eyes of 38 consecutive children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction underwent endoscopic nasolacrimal duct probing under general anaesthesia. Patients were followed up for at least three months. Probing success was defined as complete remission of symptoms and a normal fluorescein dye disappearance test result. The age range of patients was 17-109 months. The success rates of probing were: 100 per cent (29 out of 29) for cases of stenosis at the lower nasolacrimal duct, 100 per cent (7 out of 7) for functional epiphora cases and 92.86 per cent (13 out of 14) for nasolacrimal atresia cases. Overall, there was only one child for whom the probing treatment for nasolacrimal duct obstruction was not successful; this child had Down's syndrome and a more complex developmental abnormality of the nasolacrimal duct. Age and site of obstruction were not found to significantly affect the outcome of probing. Probing of the nasolacrimal system using an endoscopic approach allows direct visualisation of the nasolacrimal duct. This can facilitate diagnosis of the anomaly and significantly increase the procedure success rate.

Prevalence of amblyopia in children undergoing nasolacrimal duct irrigation and probing

Purpose:To investigate ambylopia and amblyopia risk factors of children who underwent nasolacrimal duct (NLD) irrigation and probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO).Materials and Methods:The medical records of patients who had undergone NLD irrigation and probing for CNLDO at an age of 3 years or younger were reviewed, and 51 of the patients were recalled between October 1 and December 31, 2011 for a detailed ophthalmic examination to determinate amblyopia or amblyopia risk factors. Amblyopia was accepted as difference in visual acuity of two or more Snellen lines between the two eyes or visual acuity of 20/30 or worse in either eye.Results:The median age of the 51 patients to whom NLD irrigation and probing were attempted for CNLDO was 23 months. CNLDO affected a total of 70 eyes. All patients were reviewed for best-corrected visual acuity, refractive errors, and strabismus at a median age of 70.5 months (range 31-95 months). Amblyopia or amblyopia risk factors were identified in 14 patients (27.5%). One child (7.15%) had only strabismus, six children (42.8%) had only amblyogenic refractive errors, two (14.3%) had a combination of two, one child (7.15%) had a family history for amblyopia, but four children (28.6%) had no amblyopia risk factors but had amblyopia.Conclusion:Amblyogenic risk factors are found higher in patients with CNLDO and patients undergoing NLD irrigation and probing in comparison to normal population. Therefore, we recommend these children to routinely undergo cycloplegic refractions and full ophthalmic examinations.

Probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in older children

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of probing in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children age 2 years and older and to establish factors predictive of the outcome.Materials and Methods:A prospective study was conducted on consecutive patients older than 24 months with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. All patients were treated with a simple nasolacrimal duct probing as primary treatment. Outcome measures included an ophthalmologic examination plus a parental history of residual symptoms at one and 6 months after surgery.Results:A total of 82 children with a mean age of 34.5 months (range, 24 months to 60 months) underwent nasolacrimal duct probing. The complete response rate was 54%. Partial response and failure were observed in 25% and 20.8% of the eyes, respectively. Bilateral obstruction was associated with failure of probing (P = 0.007, Odds Ratio: 5.76). However, age older than 36 months was not associated with the failure rate.Conclusion:Primary probing maintains a high success rate without any age related decline in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Bilateral congenital lacrimal fistula in down syndrome

Congenital lacrimal fistulae are rare in Down syndrome and bilateral presentation is very unusual. It can be associated with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. We report a 3-year-old female with Down syndrome who presented with watering and discharge from both eyes and bilateral fistulous openings present inferonasal to the medial canthus. Upon examination, the lacrimal sac regurgitation test was positive on both sides. Our case report documents a distinctive case of bilateral congenital lacrimal fistulae in association with Down syndrome. It was managed successfully by primary fistulectomy and nasolacrimal duct probing.

A Randomized Trial Comparing the Cost-effectiveness of 2 Approaches for Treating Unilateral Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

To compare the cost-effectiveness of 2 approaches for treating unilateral nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO).One hundred sixty-three infants aged 6 to less than 10 months with unilateral NLDO were randomly assigned to receive immediate office-based nasolacrimal duct probing (n = 82) or 6 months of observation/nonsurgical management (n = 81) followed by probing in a facility for persistent symptoms.Treatment success was defined as the absence of clinical signs of NLDO (epiphora, increased tear lake, mucous discharge) on masked examination at age 18 months. Cost of treatment between randomization and age 18 months included costs for all surgical procedures and medications.In the observation/deferred facility-probing group, NLDO resolved within 6 months without surgery in 44 of the 67 patients (66%; 95% CI, 54% to 76%) who completed the 6-month visit. Twenty-two (27%) of the 81 patients in the observation/deferred facility-probing group underwent surgery, 4 of whom were operated on within the initial 6 months. At age 18 months, 69 of 75 patients (92%) in the immediate office-probing group were treatment successes, compared with 58 of 71 observation/deferred facility-probing group patients (82%) (10% difference in success; 95% CI, -1% to 21%). The mean cost of treatment was $562 in the immediate office-probing group compared with $701 in the observation/deferred facility-probing group (difference, -$139; 95% CI, -$377 to $94). The immediate office-probing group experienced 3.0 fewer months of symptoms (95% CI, -1.8 to -4.0).The immediate office-probing approach is likely more cost-effective than observation followed by deferred facility probing if needed. Adoption of the immediate office-probing approach would result in probing in approximately two-thirds of infants whose obstruction would have resolved within 6 months of nonsurgical management, but would largely avoid the need for probing under general anesthesia.Although unilateral NLDO often resolves without surgery, immediate office probing is an effective and potentially cost-saving treatment option.clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00780741.

Impact of lacrimal obstruction type on the efficacy of probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction

To explore the impact of lacrimal obstruction type on the efficacy of lacrimal probing in the treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. We conducted a retrospective study in which 872 eyes of 741 children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction underwent nasolacrimal duct probing under superficial anesthesia. Two types of obstructions were encountered during probing, i.e. simple and complex. They were divided into early (4 - 12 months) and late (1 - 4 years) groups based upon the age at the time of initial probing. Those refractory to the first probing underwent a second probing 4 weeks later. The main observation criterion was the success rate of probing. The success rate was 90.0% in early group versus 70.4% in late group (χ(2) = 38.527, P < 0.01). No significant difference existed in the cure rate of simple or complex obstruction between two groups (χ(2) simple = 0.054, P = 0.815, χ(2) complex = 1.705, P = 0.192). The proportion of simple obstruction was 94.4% in early group versus 62.2% in late group. Difference was statistically significant (χ(2) = 125.471, P < 0.01). The success rate of a second probing of simple obstruction was 61.9% in early group versus 68.2% in late group (χ(2) = 0.324, P = 0.569). The success rate of a second probing of complex obstruction was 19.2% in early group versus 5.7% in late group (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.125). For either group, the success rate of a second probing of simple obstruction was higher than that of complex obstruction (χ(2) early group = 16.100, P < 0.01; χ(2) late group = 25.186, P < 0.01). Unsuccessful probing may result from the selection of complex obstructions. Probing should remain the first-line treatment in children above 1 year of age. The success rate with a second probing was significantly lower in patients of complex obstruction. Other surgical interventions, such as silicone tube intubation or balloon dacryocystoplasty, should be recommended instead of repeated probing for the patients of complex obstruction if an initial probing fails.

Success rates of primary probing for congenital nasolacrimal obstruction in children

To determine the success rate of nasolacrimal duct probing for the treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction and to identify the age at which the success rate decreases. Records for probing procedures from 2005 to 2010, over a 56-month period, were reviewed. Successful probing was defined as complete resolution of epiphora 3 months after treatment. Success rates were compared between children <3 years of age and children ≥3 years of age at the time of the procedure. A total of 168 eyes (128 children, mean age 32.2 ± 23.8 months) had undergone a probing procedure, and the overall success rate was 72%. Children aged <36 months had a success rate of 78%; children aged ≥36 months had a success rate of 50%. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age at the time of procedure was a significant risk factor for failed probing (P = 0.035; OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.04-2.69), whereas sex and bilateral surgery were not. The success rate of primary probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction was significantly reduced when performed on children ≥3 years of age.

Dacryocystorhinostomy Precipitating Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca in Aplasia of Lacrimal and Major Salivary Glands (ALSG)

We report a 16-month-old girl referred for bilateral epiphora and sticky eyes since birth. Examination revealed a refluxible left lacrimal sac mucocele, agenesis of the left lower punctum, and agenesis of both puncta on the right side. Complete bony obstruction was noted on probing of the left nasolacrimal duct. At 4 years of age, she underwent left external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) with silicone intubation because of chronic dacryocystitis. Her epiphora and stickiness improved significantly in the first postoperative year, but she subsequently developed dryness of the left eye, dry mouth, and dental caries. CT and MRI scans revealed the absence of the lacrimal and salivary glands. The clinical signs and symptoms improved with plugging the left upper punctum and topical lubricants. Aplasia of the lacrimal and salivary glands may present with symptoms of congenital lacrimal obstruction, and failure to make an early diagnosis will result in inappropriate lacrimal surgery and dry eye.

Cost-effectiveness of 2 Approaches to Managing Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction in Infants

To assess the impact of the rate of spontaneous resolution of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction on the relative cost-effectiveness of deferred nasolacrimal duct probing in a surgical facility (DFPS) compared with an immediate office-based probing surgery (IOPS). Data from the literature, Medicare 2009 fee schedule, and consensus assumptions were combined to populate a model of outcomes of 2 treatment strategies: immediate office-based probing (IOPS) and deferred facility-based probing (DFPS) (deferred for 6 months). Sensitivity analyses were conducted, varying the 6-month spontaneous resolution rate from 50% to 90%. Additional factors varied during analyses included surgical cost and each procedure's probability of success. Outcomes measured were overall cost of treatment, chance of cure, and months of symptoms avoided by 18 months of life. Under the base case, assuming a 75% spontaneous resolution rate during 6 months prior to deferred probing, IOPS is more expensive ($771 vs $641) and slightly less effective (93.0% vs 97.5%) than DFPS, although IOPS costs only $44 per month of symptoms avoided. At spontaneous resolution rates between 50% and 68%, IOPS costs less than DFPS (from $2 to $342 less), although it also is slightly less effective (from 2.0% to 3.8% less). At a 90% spontaneous resolution rate, IOPS costs $169 per month of symptoms avoided. As the rate of spontaneous resolution falls, the cost per additional success for DFPS increases to $16709 at a 50% spontaneous resolution rate. The relative cost-effectiveness of these strategies for treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction depends on the spontaneous resolution rate after diagnosis.

Success rates of nasolacrimal duct probing in children under 11 years old

Success rates of nasolacrimal duct probing in children under 11 years old

Clinical Outcomes of Initial and Repeated Nasolacrimal Duct Office-Based Probing for Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

PurposeTo characterize the outcomes of initial and repeated office-based probing as a primary treatment for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) in children.MethodsThe medical records of patients who underwent nasolacrimal duct office-based probing for CNLDO between March 2004 and January 2008 were reviewed retrospectively. Nasolacrimal duct probing was performed on 244 eyes from 229 consecutive patients with CNLDO. Patients who were refractory to the first probing underwent a second probing 4 to 8 weeks later.ResultsBased on exclusion criteria, 244 eyes from 229 patients (117 males and 112 females), aged 6 to 71 months (mean, 12.4 ± 8.36) were included. The success rate of the initial probing was 80% (196 of 244) for all patients, 82% (111 of 136) in the 6 to 12 month age group, 79% (64 of 81) in the 13 to 18 months age group, and 78% (21 of 27) among individuals older than 19 months (p = 0.868, Pearson chi-square test). The success rate of the second probing was 61% (25 of 41) for all patients, 74% (17 of 23) in the 6 to 12 months age group, 58% (7 of 12) in the 13 to 18 months age group, and 17% (1 of 6) among individuals older than 19 months (p = 0.043, Fisher's exact test).ConclusionsWhile the success rate of initial nasolacrimal duct probing is not affected by age, the rate of success rate with a second probing was significantly lower in patients older than 19 months. Based on the results, authors recommend further surgical interventions, such as silicone tube intubation or balloon dacryocystoplasty, instead of repeated office probing for patients older than 19 months, if an initial office probing has failed.

The timing of antibiotic administration in the management of infant dacryocystitis

To report (1) the prevalence of bacteremia among infants with dacryocystitis and (2) the influence of timing of antibiotic administration on the need for repeat probing in the management of these patients. A retrospective analysis of the hospital records of 25 infants < or =6 weeks of age treated for acute dacryocystitis was conducted, including analysis of laboratory data and outcomes. Of 22 infants who underwent blood cultures, 5 (22.7%) were bacteremic. Twenty-one of the 25 infants underwent nasolacrimal duct probing. Infants who received preoperative antibiotics were less likely to require a repeat probing than those who did not (6% vs. 80%), and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.004). The high rate of bacteremia in this series of patients and the significantly lower incidence of repeat probing among infants who received preprocedural antibiotics suggests that blood cultures and subsequent administration of intravenous antibiotics should be considered prior to probing of infants with dacryocystitis.

Primary Treatment of Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction with Probing in Children Younger than 4 Years

To report the outcome of nasolacrimal duct probing as the primary treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) in children younger than 4 years. Prospective nonrandomized observational multicenter study (44 sites). Nine hundred fifty-five eyes of 718 children 6 to <48 months old at the time of surgery with no prior nasolacrimal surgical procedure and with at least one of the following clinical signs of NLDO present: epiphora, mucous discharge, and increased tear lake. Probing of the nasolacrimal system of the affected eye. Treatment success was defined as no epiphora, mucous discharge, or increased tear lake present at the outcome visit 1 month after surgery. Proportions of eyes treated successfully were 78% (95% confidence interval [CI], 75%-81%) overall, 78% for the 421 eyes in children 6 to <12 months old, 79% for the 421 eyes in children 12 to <24 months, 79% for the 37 eyes in children 24 to <36 months, and 56% for the 11 eyes in children 36 to <48 months. The probability of treatment success was lower in eyes operated in an office setting than in eyes operated in a surgical facility (adjusted relative risk, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.80-0.96]), with success reported in 72% (95% CI, 66%-78%) of probings performed in an office and 80% (95% CI, 77%-84%) of probings performed in a facility. The probability of treatment success was also lower in eyes of patients with bilateral disease (adjusted relative risk, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.81-0.95]). In children 6 to <36 months old, probing is a successful primary treatment of NLDO in about three fourths of cases, with no decline in treatment success with increasing age. The study enrolled too few children ages 36 to <48 months to allow a conclusion regarding the probability of treatment success in this age group.

Utilisation du mélange protoxyde d’azote-oxygène lors du sondage des voies lacrymales chez l’enfant

Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction affects more than 6% of newborns. Whereas some recommend nasolacrimal probing under general anesthesia from 1 year of age when the condition does not spontaneously resolve, some decide in favor of early probing from 4 to 6 months of age with topical anesthesia. We present nasolacrimal probing with inhalation of MEOPA, an equimolar mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen, as a therapeutic alternative. We conducted a descriptive, prospective study including 63 children (75 eyes) who had nasolacrimal duct probing with inhalation of MEOPA between March 2005 and March 2006, in consultation. Efficacy was estimated by the observation of medical staff and parents and by the feasibility of the probing procedure. Children were 4-28 months old (mean age, 11.5 months). Symptoms resolved spontaneously in 79% of cases after only one probing. No incident was observed. In case of failure, probing with nasolacrimal intubation with nasal endoscopy and general anesthesia was done (21% of cases, mean age, 17.5 months). Administration of MEOPA, by inhalation with a facial mask, is already used for minor pediatric surgical procedures. It is simple to use, fast, low-risk, inexpensive, and effective. Use of MEOPA in nasolacrimal duct probing in children could be a good alternative, making it possible to alleviate pain in the youngest children and general anesthesia in the oldest.

The Results of Late Probing in Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

Purpose: To evaluate the results of lacrimal probing in children at or older than 1 year of age with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Materials and Methods: Fifty eyes of 38 children (24 males, 14 females) with congenital epiphora who underwent nasolacrimal duct probing were evaluated in a prospective study. The age of the patients was between 12 and 101 months (mean: 33 months). Success of probing was defined as complete resolution of preoperative symptoms and signs. The mean follow-up was 8 months (3–28 months). Results: The success rate of probing was 88% (44/50 eyes). Residual epiphora was observed in 6 eyes of 4 patients (12%). Age of the patient, gender, the frequency of epiphora before probing and the unilaterality or bilaterality of epiphora did not correlate with the success of probing (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Nasolacrimal duct probing is advocated as a primary treatment in children younger than 9 years of age before proceeding to more complex treatment options. Unsuccessful probing may result from the selection of nonmembranous obstructions rather than the increased age of the patients.

Late probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

To determine the outcome of late Nasolacrimal Duct (NLD) probing in children 2 years and above and to identify the cause of failure in these children. Quasi- experimental. Shri Ganapati Netralaya, Jalna, India, from January 1999 to June 2003. Clinical diagnosis of Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction (CNLDO) was defined in a child who presented with history of tearing and/or eye discharge. Probing was performed under general anesthesia. Intraoperative patency of probing was determined when fluorescein stained saline was recovered from throat after syringing. The type of obstruction was noted in each case as simple obstruction where the probe could bypass the obstruction and post-probing syringing was patent in these cases, and complex where the probe was snugly fit and/or could not pass the obstruction and syringing was not patent in these patients. Success was the main outcome measure and was defined as complete resolution of tearing and discharges in the affected eye. Forty-nine eyes of 42 children were included in the study. The age range was from 2-7 years (average age 3.7 years). Probing was successful in 39 eyes (79.60%). Success rate was 85% in children less than 5 years and 55.55% in those older than 5 years. Out of the failed 10 cases, 5 (50%) were above 5 years of age. All cases with failed probing had complex type obstruction. Probing is a viable option in older children. The success rate for probing depends upon the type of obstruction and children with complex obstruction are at high risk for failure of probing.

Endoscopic-assisted probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction

To determine the success rate of initial probing in children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) at different ages using nasal endoscopy, and to identify the anatomical sites of blockage within the drainage system. A total of 87 eyes from 67 consecutive children with CNLDO underwent endoscopic nasolacrimal duct (NLD) probing under general anaesthetic. Patients who had had previous probings were excluded from the study. Diagnosis was based on history of epiphora since birth or shortly after, and fluorescein dye disappearance test (FDDT). Cure was judged as complete or near-complete remission of symptoms and signs and a normal FDDT. The age range was 12-91 months (mean 32.3 months). The success rates of probing were: 100% (58/58) for atresia and stenosis at the lower NLD, 100% (13/13) for punctal stenosis, 55.6% (5/9) for functional epiphora, and 0% (0/7) for canalicular and upper NLD obstruction. Age was not found to significantly affect the outcome of probing, whereas site did. Obstruction at canalicular or upper NLD level became more common with increasing age. Probing of the nasolacrimal system using the endoscopic approach allows direct visualisation of the distal nasolacrimal duct, which facilitates diagnosis of the anomaly at this site. More complex proximal anomalies became increasingly prevalent in older children, which accounted for the poorer results with increasing age. Site of obstruction has a greater bearing on outcome than patient age.