eMedicine Specialties > Ophthalmology > Lacrimal System

Nasolacrimal Duct, Congenital Anomalies: Differential Diagnoses & Workup

Author: Mounir Bashour, MD, CM, FRCS(C), PhD, FACS, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, McGill University; Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Sherbrooke University; Medical Director, Cornea Laser and Lasik MD
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jun 8, 2009

Differential Diagnoses

Albinism
Down Syndrome
Aniridia
Glaucoma, Primary Congenital
Aniridia in the Newborn
Conjunctivitis, Neonatal
Corneal Abrasion

Other Problems to Be Considered

Facial clefts
Cleft palate
Treacher Collins syndrome

Workup

Imaging Studies

  • Intubation dacryocystography
  • Scintillography

Other Tests

  • Fluorescein dye disappearance test - Grade as good, fair, or poor clearance
  • Jones dye tests - Not as useful in practice with small children

Histologic Findings

Punctal agenesis is usually associated with the absence of underlying canalicular tissue in 86% of cases in one series.

More on Nasolacrimal Duct, Congenital Anomalies

Overview: Nasolacrimal Duct, Congenital Anomalies
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Nasolacrimal Duct, Congenital Anomalies
Treatment & Medication: Nasolacrimal Duct, Congenital Anomalies
Follow-up: Nasolacrimal Duct, Congenital Anomalies
References

References

  1. Fimiani F, Iovine A, Carelli R, Pansini M, Sebastio G, Magli A. Incidence of ocular pathologies in Italian children with Down syndrome. Eur J Ophthalmol. Sep-Oct 2007;17(5):817-22. [Medline].

  2. Stephen E, Dickson J, Kindley AD, Scott CC, Charleton PM. Surveillance of vision and ocular disorders in children with Down syndrome. Dev Med Child Neurol. Jul 2007;49(7):513-5. [Medline].

  3. Lim CS, Martin F, Beckenham T. Nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children: outcome of intubation. J AAPOS. Oct 2004;8(5):466-72. [Medline].

  4. Bowling BS, Chandna A. Superior lacrimal canalicular atresia and nasolacrimal duct obstruction in the CHARGE association. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. Sep-Oct 1994;31(5):336-7. [Medline].

  5. Busse H. [Connatal dacryostenoses. Clinical picture and treatment]. Ophthalmologe. Sep 2004;101(9):945-54; quiz 955-6. [Medline].

  6. Cahill KV, Burns JA. Management of epiphora in the presence of congenital punctal and canalicular atresia. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 1991;7(3):167-72. [Medline].

  7. Chronister CL, Lee A, Kaiser H. Rarely reported cases of congenital atresia of nasolacrimal puncta. Optometry. Apr 2002;73(4):237-42. [Medline].

  8. Foster JA, Katowitz JA, Heyman S. Results of dacryoscintigraphy in massage of the congenitally blocked nasolacrimal duct. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. Mar 1996;12(1):32-7. [Medline].

  9. Holzberg N, Ward RF. Bilateral congenital dacrocystoceles. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Dec 1993;109(6):1074-7. [Medline].

  10. Ingels K, Kestelyn P, Meire F, Ingels G, Van Weissenbruch R. The endoscopic approach for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. Apr 1997;22(2):96-9. [Medline].

  11. Lyon DB, Dortzbach RK, Lemke BN, Gonnering RS. Canalicular stenosis following probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Ophthalmic Surg. Apr 1991;22(4):228-32. [Medline].

  12. Lyons CJ, Rosser PM, Welham RA. The management of punctal agenesis. Ophthalmology. Dec 1993;100(12):1851-5. [Medline].

  13. McNab AA. Congenital absence of the nasolacrimal duct. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. Sep-Oct 1998;35(5):294-5. [Medline].

  14. Paul TO, Shepherd R. Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction: natural history and the timing of optimal intervention. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. Nov-Dec 1994;31(6):362-7. [Medline].

  15. Sevel D. Development and congenital abnormalities of the nasolacrimal apparatus. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. Sep-Oct 1981;18(5):13-9. [Medline].

  16. Ugurbas SH, Zilelioglu G. Congenital lacrimal fistula. Eur J Ophthalmol. Jan-Mar 2000;10(1):22-6. [Medline].

  17. Welham RA, Hughes SM. Lacrimal surgery in children. Am J Ophthalmol. Jan 15 1985;99(1):27-34. [Medline].

Further Reading

Keywords

nasolacrimal duct obstruction, nasolacrimal duct system, congenital nasolacrimal duct anomalies, nasolacrimal duct system abnormalities

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Mounir Bashour, MD, CM, FRCS(C), PhD, FACS, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, McGill University; Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Sherbrooke University; Medical Director, Cornea Laser and Lasik MD
Mounir Bashour, MD, CM, FRCS(C), PhD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, American College of International Physicians, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Biomedical Engineering Society, Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Ophthalmological Society, Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, International College of Surgeons US Section, Ontario Medical Association, Quebec Medical Association, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Gerhard W Cibis, MD, Clinical Professor, Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology Service, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Kansas, Kansas City
Gerhard W Cibis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and American Ophthalmological Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute; Chief of Section of Ophthalmology Surgical Services, Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare Center, West Los Angeles
Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Mark T Duffy, MD, PhD, Consulting Staff, Division of Oculoplastic, Orbito-facial, Lacrimal and Reconstructive Surgery, Green Bay Eye Clinic, BayCare Clinic; Medical Director, Advanced Cosmetic Solutions, A BayCare Clinic
Mark T Duffy, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Sigma Xi, and Society for Neuroscience
Disclosure: Allergan - Botox Cosmetic Consulting fee Consulting; Quest medical - lacrimal balloons Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Ortho-Neutrogenia Consulting fee Consulting

CME Editor

Lance L Brown, OD, MD, Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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