Behavior and Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy Outcomes in Acute Dacryocystitis Caused by Prolonged Nasolacrimal Duct Stent.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical profile and endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (En-DCR) outcomes in patients with acute dacryocystitis (AD) caused by prolonged placement of nasolacrimal duct stent (NDS).

METHODS

This investigation retrospectively reviewed the medical eye records of 15 patients with AD caused by the infection due to long-term NDS use in the lacrimal drainage system. The patient cohort was selected from June 2019 to February 2023. All the cases were treated with En-DCR with bi-canalicular silicone tube intubation, and the incarcerated stents were removed during the surgeries. Furthermore, patient's demographic data, clinical profiles, and treatment outcomes were recorded.

RESULTS

This research included 4 males and 11 females with an average age of 62.87 ± 7.58 years (48-76). Furthermore, it was observed that the time between the NDS intubation and AD occurrence was from 1.5 to 26 years. The time between AD initiation and En-DCR surgeries was 5 to 40 days. All patients presented with clinical manifestations of AD, and 4 patients had a cutaneous fistula. In addition, all patients underwent En-DCR, and the incarcerated stents were successfully removed. After a year of follow-up, the anatomic and functional success rate was 86.67% (13/15). The failure observed in 2 cases was because the scarring caused intranasal ostial closure. In addition, acute inflammation completely resolved in all the patients without recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term NDS use can induce AD onset, which needs clinical attention. En-DCR is an effective treatment for AD secondary to nasolacrimal stent intubation.