Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026
Transcanalicular Diode Laser-assisted Dacryocystorhinostomy for the Treatment of Primary Acquired Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction
Published on: October 13, 2017
[Selective lacrimal sac biopsy for external dacryocystorhinostomy: a clinical pathological study]
L M Heindl1, E Treutlein, A G M Jünemann
1Augenklinik mit Poliklinik, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, Erlangen, Germany. ludwig.heindl@uk-erlangen.de
Background:
Tumors of the lacrimal drainage system are rare but potentially life-threatening. The purpose of this study was to investigate the applicability of selective lacrimal sac biopsy in 500 cases of external dacryocystorhinostomy for acquired dacryostenosis.
Patients And Methods:
Lacrimal sac biopsy was obtained selectively for atypical clinical and/or intraoperative findings. The frequency and spectrum of biopsies were recorded and correlated with the follow-up results.
Results:
Lacrimal sac biopsy was performed in 19 external dacryocystorhinostomies (3.8%) including non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma (3), squamous carcinoma (2), mucoepidermoid carcinoma (1), malignant melanoma (1), oncocytoma (1), pyogenic granuloma (4), Wegener's granulomatosis (4) and sarcoidosis (3). Within 5 years none of the patients without biopsy developed systemic inflammatory diseases or lacrimal neoplasms. The 5-year survival was 87% in patients with significant lacrimal sac pathology and 96% in patients without significant pathology.
Conclusion:
External dacryocystorhinostomy with selective biopsy for atypical clinical and intraoperative findings allows safe diagnosis and management of potentially life-threatening lacrimal lesions.
