Lacrimal excretory system sequelae in patients treated for leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis infection may involve destruction of nasal tissues resulting in lacrimal drainage system alteration.

To evaluate the frequency of lacrimal excretory system sequelae in patients treated for leishmaniasis.

Forty-five leishmaniasis-treated patients (90 nasolacrimal ducts) were submitted to lacrimal excretory system evaluation. All were evaluated by Jones I test and when it was abnormal, dacryocystography and nasal endoscopy were performed. This situation occurred in 13 patients (26 nasolacrimal ducts).

The majority of evaluated patients had the cutaneous form (64.4%) of leishmaniasis, however, 69.23% of the patients with lacrimal excretory system alterations had the mucocutaneous form of infection before treatment. In these, the most common alteration detected was bilateral permeable and dilated nasolacrimal ducts (92.30%). Only 3.84% (1/26) of the evaluated nasolacrimal ducts were obstructed. Nasal endoscopy showed turbinate hypertrophy (53.84%), septum deviation (53.84%) and nasal septum perforation (23.07%).

Permeable and dilated lacrimal excretory system were the most common sequelae related to leishmaniasis infection.