Endoscopy of the lacrymal duct

Summ. The study presents a new technic for the examination of the lacrymal duct; i.e the endoscopy. It demonstrates the advantages and permits to open up new ways to act on the lacrymal duct. Methods and patients The seventy two patients examined by means of endoscopy between January 1997 and May 1997 have had all a clear pathology: epiphora, chronic or acute dacryocystite in a remission phase. Some patients were at the same time examined radiogically, by means of a dacryocystorhinography. Results In all the cases studied using both technics, the endoscopy made it possible to put into evidence the origin of the epiphora or the dacryocystite with a much higher precision than with radiographies. Discussion and conclusion The endoscopy of the lacrymal duct is the best examination technic in the lacrymal pathology and should in a near future replace the dacryocystorhinography.