MR Dacryocystography in the Evaluation of Patients with Obstructive Epiphora Treated by Means of Interventional Radiologic Procedures

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Most imaging techniques used for the evaluation of obstructive epiphora, such as DS DCG, rely on undesired ionizing radiation. We evaluated the efficacy of topical contrast-enhanced MR DCG in comparison with DS DCG in patients with obstructive epiphora who underwent balloon DCG or stent placement.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six LDSs of 21 patients treated with balloon DCG (n = 11) or stent placement (n = 11) were examined with MR DCG and DS DCG. Contralateral LDSs (n = 14) were also evaluated in patients with unilateral disease. A sterile 0.9% NaCl solution containing 1:100 diluted gadolinium chelate was instilled into conjunctival sacs. The 3D FSPGR sequence was used with a 1.5T scanner. MR and DS DCG findings were scored and compared according to morphology of the lacrimal sac, junction, and NLD and the presence of contrast media in the nasal cavity.

RESULTS: Comparison of MR DCG and DS DCG findings showed no significant statistical differences in reference to anatomic locations according to the McNemar test (P > .05). Good or very good agreement (κ value > 0.61) was observed according to the κ statistics.

CONCLUSIONS: Topical contrast-enhanced MR DCG is an effective and reliable noninvasive method for evaluation of the LDS in patients treated with IR procedures. This method avoids both cannulation and ionizing radiation and can, therefore, be repeated as often as is necessary in these complex patients.