Abstract
Objective: To investigate if chronic inflammatory sinus disease has a pathogenic role in the obstructive pathology of the neighboring lacrimal system, including obstruction alone and chronic or recurring dacryocystitis.
Method: One hundred patients were selected for endoscopic DCR because of persistent epiphora and/or chronic or recurrent dacryocystitis. Their sinus CT scans were evaluated using the Lund-Mackay score.The nonoperated side and a further group of 30 head trauma patients were the control groups.
Results: No statistically significant differences were found in either presence or absence, or even disease extension or location, of image defined inflammation of the sinuses and obstructive pathology of the lacrimal system, including chronic or recurring dacryocystitis. DCR sides and patients do not have higher scores of sinonasal disease than nonsurgical sides or normal subjects.
Conclusion: These results lead to the conclusion that chronic inflammatory sinus disease is a comorbidity that very likely does not play a pathogenic role in any form of obstructive disease of the lacrimal system.
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