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Frequency of the common canaliculus: a radiological study
1Department of Ophthalmology, Uludag University School of Medicine, Gorukle Campus, 16059 Bursa, Turkey. byazici@uludag.edu.tr
Archives of Ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|October 13, 2000
Summary
The common canaliculus (CC) is present in 94.1% of individuals, with separate drainage of upper and lower canaliculi occurring in only 2.0%. This study quantifies lacrimal drainage anatomy, finding CCs are not always bilateral.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Anatomy
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- The common canaliculus (CC) is often cited as present in ~90% of individuals.
- Quantitative studies supporting this prevalence are lacking.
- Alternative anatomy involves separate canaliculi entry into the lacrimal sac.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of the common canaliculus (CC).
- To investigate other anatomical variations in lacrimal drainage.
- To quantify connections between canaliculi and the lacrimal sac.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of digital subtraction macrodacryocystograms.
- Analysis of 247 patients with obstructive epiphora.
- Classification of lacrimal drainage systems into anatomical types.
Main Results:
- A common canaliculus (CC) was observed in 94.1% of 341 lacrimal drainage systems.
- Separate canaliculi entry into the lacrimal sac occurred in only 2.0% of systems.
- In 3.8% of systems, canaliculi joined at the lacrimal sac wall, not forming a CC.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of separate upper and lower canaliculi drainage is low (2.0%).
- The common canaliculus (CC) may not be present bilaterally in all individuals.
- This study provides quantitative data on lacrimal drainage anatomy.