Objective: To determine the prevalence of lacrimal sac pathology in patient
s undergoing dacryocystorhinostomy (DOR) for primary acquired nasolacrimal
duct obstruction (PANDO).
Design: Observational. case series.
Participants. One hundred sixty-six patients with! symptoms of PANDO.
Methods: A total of 202 lacrimal sac biopsies were obtained from 166 patien
ts undergoing external DCR procedures for symptoms of PANDO.
Main Outcome, Measures; Patient demographics, presenting symptoms and signs
, relevant history, and assessment of the nasolacrimal system were recorded
. All lacrimal biopsy specimens were examined histopathologically.
Results. A total of 1181 patients (71%)were female and, 48 patients (29%) w
ere male. The mean age was 60.7 years (range, 21-93 years). All patients de
monstrated epiphora, and 32 patients had dacryocystitis. Duration of sympto
ms ranged from 6 weeks to 50, years. No, lacrimal sac tumors were detected.
Sixty-five percent of specimens demonstrated chronic, inflammation.
Conclusions: No neoplasms, were detected among 202 lacrimal sac specimens f
rom 166 patients with symptoms, of PANDO. Most lacrimal sac specimens, demo
nstrated chronic inflammatory changes. We conclude that a lacrimal sac biop
sy should be performed when there is suspicion of a neoplasm based, on the
clinical, historical, or intraoperative findings, rather than. routine biop
sy of all patients with PANDO. Ophthalmology ; 108:2038-2040 (C) 2001 by th
e American Academy of Ophthalmology.