MORPHOLOGICAL AND OR FUNCTIONAL IMAGIOLOGY DIAGNOSIS OF EPIPHORA

Several tests and examinations are necessary for an accurate diagnosis of disorders of the lacrimal drainage system. The AA studied 100 pati ents with epiphora, divided in two groups. Forty patients, first group (I), aged between 4 and 78 years old (mean age 47.8 +/- 9.6 years), w ere examined using the classical tests for the study of epiphora, sequ ential dacryoscintigraphy (SD) and conventional subtraction macrodacry ocystrography (DSMD). In the second group (II), 60 patients (aged 45.5 +/- 8.7 years) were studied using the classical tests and by digital subtraction macrodacryocystography (DSMD). The results showed that whe n functional epiphora is present, there is no difference between a sim ple clinical approach and sequential dacryoscintigraphy. However, when information is needed regarding choice of surgical approach, DSMD app ears to give the best results.