MRI DACRYOCYSTOGRAPHY AFTER CONJUNCTIVAL APPLICATION OF GADOLINIUM SOLUTION

MRI dacryocystography after conjunctival application of gadolinium sol ution. Purpose: To determine the efficacy of MRI for the lacrimal drai nage system after conjunctival application of gadolinium-DTPA solution . Material and methods: MRI dacryocystography of 32 nasolacrimal duct systems was performed in 16 patients additional to digital subtraction dacryocystography. The gadolinium solution was prepared by diluting t he commercially available gadolinium-DTPA (Magnevist(R), Schering AG, Berlin) 1:10 in sterile saline solution. 3x2 drops of this contrast me dium were instilled bilaterally immediately before MRI scanning. Resul ts: MRI dacryocystography provided detailed information on the nasolac rimal duct system in all 32 cases. In 16 cases localisation and functi onal degree of nasolacrimal duct obstruction or stenosis was determine d reliably. In 15 cases normal nasolacrimal duct system showed no cont rast enhancement. In one case stenosis of the canaliculus was observed . Conclusion: MRI dacryocystography provides detailed morphological so ft tissue information of the lacrimal drainage system. Local conjuncti val application of gadolinium solution allows functional tests of the lacrimal duct system in patients suffering from epiphora.