[Clinical experiences with radionuclide dacryocystography (author's transl)]

In 105 patients, the clinical experience with radionuclide dacryocystography is reported, a scintiphotographic demonstration of the efferent lacrimal ducts. After application of 50 muCi of 99m Tc pertechnetate in 10 mul of normal saline into the conjunctival sac, the flow of the radionuclide through the efferent tear ducts is observed. This method is a valuable complement for the diagnosis and localization of dacryostenoses. A differentiation between a relative and an absolute stenosis is not possible with this investigational method alone. The kinetic of the tear flow can be investigated by means of so-called time-activity curves. Our studies show that the flow dynamics depend on the volume of the amount of fluid applied. We believe that statements on the flow dynamics under physiological conditions cannot be made as is indicated by other authors with a volume of 10 microliters. Under application of 50 muCi of pertechnetate, the exposure of radionuclide dacryocystography amounts to 15-25 mR for the lens and is far below the exposure by scull radiography.