J Korean Radiol Soc.  1999 Apr;40(4):615-620. 10.3348/jkrs.1999.40.4.615.

3 DFT Magnetic Resonance Dacryocystography in the Evaluation of Epiphora

• Kim H
• Kim E
• Kim Y
• Chung EC
• Han YB
• Rhee C

• KMID: 2103284
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.1999.40.4.615

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of 3-dimensional Fourier transformation magnetic resonancedacryocystography (3DFT MR DCG: MR DCG) and its diagnostic efficacy in patients with epiphora.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Three normal volunteers and ten patients complaining of epiphora were studied by MR DCG using 3DFT CISSand 3DFT FLASH techniques. In normal volunteers, MR DCG was obtained by instillation of diluted Gd-DTPA solutionsof different concentrations (Gd-DTPA : saline=1:100, 1:50, 1:25) using various instillation methods. In patientswith epiphora, MR DCG was compared with conventional D C G .
RESULTS
In normal volunteers, the best image wasobtained with the continuous instillation method during MR scanning. In all normal volunteers, MR DCG demonstratedthe entire course of the nasolacrimal duct (NLD). In patients with epiphora, however, there were five cases inwhich MR DCG failed to visualize the NLD, as well as five cases of occlusion and two of stenosis at the level ofthe proximal NLD. These findings corresponded with conventional DCG findings as four cases of occlusion at thelevel of the common canaliculi, one case of lacrimal sac, five cases of occlusion and two cases of stenosis at thelevel of the proximal NLD. There was no significant difference between MR DCG findings using 3DFT CISS and 3DFTFLASH MR techniques. CONCLUSION: MR DCG can detect the correct level of obstruction and differentiate betweenocclusion and stenosis of the NLD in patients with obstruction of the lacrimal drainage system. It may be a usefuldiagnostic method for investigating complicated cases in which conventional DCG is not possible due topost-surgical or traumatic obstruction.

Keyword

Magnetic resonance(MR); comparative studies; Magnetic resonance(MR), three-dimensional; Lacrimal gland andduct, radiography

MeSH Terms

Constriction, Pathologic
Drainage
Fourier Analysis
Gadolinium DTPA
Healthy Volunteers
Humans
Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases*
Nasolacrimal Duct
Gadolinium DTPA