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Updated: Feb 24, 2026
Transcanalicular Diode Laser-assisted Dacryocystorhinostomy for the Treatment of Primary Acquired Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction
Published on: October 13, 2017
Ultrasound parameters of normal lacrimal sac and chronic dacryocystitis
Marco Antonio de Campos Machado1, João Amaro Ferrari Silva1, Eduardo Alonso Garcia1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Purpose:
To compared the ultrasound findings of the lacrimal sac between subjects with normal lacrimal systems those with chronic dacryocystitis.
Methods:
A retrospective study of 10 subjects with a normal lacrimal system (Group 1) and 10 with chronic dacryocystitis (Group 2) diagnosed according to B-mode ultrasound with a 10-MHz transducer and the direct-contact technique (AVISO, Quantel Medical) for lacrimal sac assessment. We analyzed the dimensions, features, and content of the sacs. Characteristics of the population: female: 6, Group 1; 8, Group 2; mean age 48.4 years (SD=19.9; range, 22-80 years), Group 1; 50.5 years (SD=15.5; range, 25-75 years), Group 2.
Results:
The dimensions of the lacrimal sac were as follows: anteroposterior 1.86 and 10.99 mm in Groups 1 and 2, respectively, p<0.0001; vertical 9.79 and 14.13 mm in Groups 1 and 2, respectively, p=0.049. Qualitative evaluation of the lacrimal sac contents showed hypoechogenic content in Group 1 (10, 100%) and hyperechogenic punctiform content in Group 2 (10, 100%) with partial filling in seven cases (70%).
Conclusions:
Ultrasonography can differentiate normal lacrimal sacs from sacs compromised by chronic dacryocystitis, thus being useful as an adjunct to clinical examination and surgical planning.
