DCR and Nasolacrimal System (Cadaver)
Prithwijit Roychowdhury, BS1; C. Scott Brown, MD2; Matthew D. Ellison, MD2
1University of Massachusetts Medical School
2 Department of Otolaryngology, Duke University
Nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NDO) is the most common disorder of the lacrimal system that affects patients of every age and results in excessive tearing (epiphora) and if untreated, painful infection (dacryocystitis). When NDO symptoms progress and can no longer be managed with conservative measures, endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is indicated.
In this case, DCR exploration of the nasolacrimal anatomy is performed on a cadaver. The typical presentation of NDO is epiphora but the presence of painful swelling of the medial canthus and mucoid or purulent discharge may indicate the presence of dacryocystitis. The approach presented here involves the creation of a mucosal flap and subsequent use of the DCR drill to expose the nasolacrimal duct anatomy.