Role of paranasal abnormalities and systemic inflammation on primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction

To determine the paranasal changes and inflammatory markers that may cause primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO) and to determine their relationship with success rates on different types of surgeries.

We retrospectively reviewed the blood sample and computed tomography (CT) results on 92 patients who underwent dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery for PANDO and 82 healthy controls. Age, gender, paranasal abnormalities, hemogram values, International Normalized Ratio (INR) values, type of surgery, and recurrence rate were recorded; systemic Immune-inflammation Index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocytes-to- lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were calculated in both groups. In the case group, total white blood cells, monocytes, and INR values were significantly lower (p < 0.05). Platelet, lymphocyte, neutrophil, PLR, MLR, NLR, and SII values did not differ significantly between the control and case groups (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the CT results between the groups (p > 0.05). No correlation was found between CT findings and inflammatory markers. Dacryocystitis (DC) was seen in 20% of patients and they were all in the case group. No correlation was found between recurrence rate and age, gender, type of surgery, CT findings, and blood results (p > 0.05). The recurrence rate was significantly higher in patients with bilateral PANDO and with DC (p < 0.05).

The incidence of PANDO may not be directly related to paranasal abnormalities and systemic inflammation. Low INR values may cause obstruction in the nasolacrimal duct. Age, gender, type of surgery, CT findings, and inflammation level do not affect the success of the surgery.