Background At the moment digital dacryocystography yields the most exa
ct results in lacrimal diagnostics. The main disadvantage lies in the
dependancy of high tech X-ray systems and an angiography unit, which r
aise enormly the costs of the examination. Recently a new diagnostic s
ystem of the lacrimal pathway is available. Patients and Methods Minia
turizing of endoscopes and new developements in the fiberoptic technol
ogy made it possible to introduce these miniendoscopes into the canali
culi and perform antegrade examination of canaliculi, lacrimal sac and
ductus nasolacrimalis. 86 patients agreed to this examination. With t
his examination a direct visualisation of the mucous membrane of the l
acrimal pathways and possible pathological alterations were possible.
Results In case of axial illumination and syringing of the lacrimal sy
stem good visibility can be achieved and an exact examination is possi
ble. Especially for endoscopy modified probes of Bangerter provide an
exact examination at narrow areas and areas of bendings too. Different
reasons for stenosis of the lacrimal pathways could be identified, es
pecially 2 cases of a lacrimal sac tumor. Conclusions The use of this
new miniendoscope provides a very good examination under direct visual
isation of the lacrimal pathway independant of a high tech x-ray equip
ment. The goal is to use this new endoscope on the one hand only for d
iagnostic reasons as endoscope and on the other hand in combination wi
th a laser fiber to perform an antegrade laser dacryocysto-rhinostomy.