[Digital radiology in the study of the lacrimal ducts]

The authors emphasize the usefulness of digital dacryocystography (DCG), as compared with various current techniques. Utilizing a radiographic unit equipped with a video-fluoroscopic system and interfaced to a digital video-processor, several digitalized images are acquired before, during and after the injection of contrast medium. Final images are obtained by subtraction of suitable pairs of source frames. Twenty-six patients affected by epiphora have been examined so far. In 21 cases digital subtraction DCG allowed an accurate visualization of the lacrimal system; in the other five patients the amount of information was acceptable. This methodology allows the assessment of both the normal anatomy of the lacrimal passages and their pathological patterns, such as obstructions, stenoses, fistulas, chronic dacryocystitis, lacrimal stones. The examination is easy and quick to perform, with no discomfort for the patient. Digital subtraction DCG proves thus to be a very valuable technique thanks to its possible electronic elaboration--i.e. the subtraction and the magnification of images--to its better contrast resolution, and to the possibility it yields of dynamic studies under radioscopic control.