J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2002 Nov;43(11):2112-2118.

Anatomical Study of Lacrimal Passage using Computed Tomography

• You IC
• Jeong SK
• Seo JJ

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
We could measure diameters of lacrimal sac and surrounding bone thickness of normal Korean with accurate data by using orbital CT.
METHODS
We measured the lacrimal sac, surrounding bone thickness, and frequency of Haller cell with thin-section computed tomography examinations in 115 normal Korean orbits with no signs of pathology related to the lacrimal drainage system for 1999 to 2001.
RESULTS
The mean length of lacrimal sac was 10.45+/-1.96 mm, A-P width was 5.96+/-1.26 mm, L-R width was 3.72+/-0.92 mm. The surrounding bone thickness of upper portion of lacrimal sac was 6.46+/-1.40 mm, middle portion was 3.24+/-1.11 mm, lower portion was 0.78+/-0.23 mm. The frequency of Haller cell was 13.9%. The diameters of lacrimal sac and surrounding bone thickness were larger in males than females, and increasing tendency with aging.
CONCLUSION
In this study, Korean lacrimal sac size was slightly smaller than the caucasian and Korean male's surrounding bone thickness was thicker than female. These data will be very helpful in making appropriate osteotomy by using the drill during dacryocystorhinostomy and avoiding unnecessary manipulation.

Keyword

Dacryocystorhinostomy; Haller cell; Lacrimal sac; Surrounding bone thickness

MeSH Terms

Aging
Dacryocystorhinostomy
Drainage
Female
Humans
Male
Orbit
Osteotomy
Pathology