Korean J Nucl Med.  1999 Aug;33(4):362-367.

Role of Dacryoscintigraphy in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric with Epiphora

• Jeong HJ
• Bom HS
• Song HC
• Min JJ
• Kim JY
• Jeong SK
• Park YK

Abstract

PURPOSE: We conducted this study to evaluate the role of dacryoscintigraphy in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric patients with epiphora.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In 58 patients aged from 2 months to 15 years (mean age 2.8+/-2.3 years), dacryoscintigraphy was performed using a gamma camera with 4 mm pinhole collimator. We correlated symptoms with dacryosicntigraphic findings in all patients. In 37 patients who underwent ophthalmologic procedures, we analyzed the agreements of dacryoscintigraphic findings with the operation.
RESULTS
High rates of agreements between epiphora and obstruction on dacryoscintigraphy (69/72, 95.8%), and between scintigraphic obstructive findings and operation sites (44/47, 93.6%) were noted. Nine of fourty-four (20.5%) asymptomatic eyes showed obstructive findings on dacroscintigraphy.
CONCLUSION
In pediatric patients with epiphora, dacryoscintigraphy is a useful tool not only in diagnosing nasolacrimal duct obstruction but also in making a decision for therapeutic procedures.

Keyword

Tc-99m pertechnetate; Dacryoscintigraphy; Nasolacrimal duct obstruction; Epiphora

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis*
Gamma Cameras
Humans
Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases*
Nasolacrimal Duct