[Significance of preoperative digital subtraction dacryocystography for nasolacrimal stent]

Digital subtraction dacryocystography were performed prior to placement of a nasolacrimal stent. Among the 107 eyes, the sites of obstruction were in the common canaliculus in 9 eyes, above the neck of the lacrimal sac in 12 eyes and under the neck of the lacrimal sac in 86 eyes. The placement of a nasolacrimal stent may become the treatment of choice for epiphora due to obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct at the saccular or subsaccular level. After operation, these nasolacrimal ducts after stenting were patent and epiphora was resolved completely or partially. The results suggest that the preoperative digital subtraction dacryocystography is helpful in selective indication of placement of a nasolacrimal stent and prognostic assessment of the postoperative outcome.