RECANALIZATION OF THE LACRIMAL SYSTEM BY DILATION USING BALLOON CATHETERS

In dilation of nasolacrimal duct stenosis materials now being used ori ginally were developed for percutaneous transluminal coronary angiopla sty (PTCA). Suitable modifications of the angioplasty equipment could improve therapeutic results and thus influence the area of indication of this new technique. In addition to the standard PTCA equipment, we used a cannula designed to fit the guide wire, leading to less traumat ic intubation of the lacrimal duct and allowing radiographic control o f the recanalization procedure. Five patients showing relative stenosi s and ten patients showing complete obstruction of the nasolacrimal du ct were treated by dacryocystoplasty. Clinical and radiographic follow -up was done over a period of 6 months. In a total of seven patients, dilation proved successful. Out of these, four showed stenosis (80% re canalization rate) and three complete obstruction (30% recanalization rate) before dilation. Recanalization by dilation using balloon cathet ers seems to be possible even in cases of complete nasolacrimal duct o bstruction. However, the success rate is considerably lower than in re lative stenosis.