Pathology and imaging of the lacrimal drainage system

The lacrimal drainage apparatus drains tears from the eye. The system is susceptible to a multitude of pathologic findings, including obstruction, infection, inflammation, and neoplasms. The diagnosis of several of these processes is aided by the use of radiologic studies. In conjunction with dacryocystography, cross-sectional modalities, such as CT and MR imaging have improved the ability of diagnostic imaging to characterize the obstructive nature and soft tissue or osseous changes of various disease processes.