Avoiding dacryocystorhinostomy in cases of epiphora caused by inferior meatus obstruction.

AIMS: To determine the role of inferior meatus pathologies as an underdiagnosed cause of epiphora.

METHODS: This study was conducted in the oculoplastic institution of Tel Aviv medical center-a regional referral center. A retrospective review of files of patients presenting to the lacrimal clinic with nasolacrimal duct obstruction between October 2010 and September 2016. Cases in which a pathology of the inferior meatus was identified and treated are presented in this article.

RESULTS: During this time frame, we preformed 186 endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy surgeries. Out of those, eight patients (4.3%) were diagnosed and treated for pathology causing an obstruction of the inferior meatus. Seven of our patients were females; the mean age was 24 years. A wide range of pathologies were found: cysts, dacryoliths, membranes obstructing the inferior meatus, and concheal obstruction. All patients went through endoscopic treatment targeted at the cause of obstruction. During follow-up (average 35 months) only two patients remained symptomatic and were referred for an endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.

CONCLUSIONS: Inferior meatus obstruction is an underdiagnosed cause of epiphora. Multiple pathologies may co-exist in the same patient. In select cases of NLDO, diagnosis and treatment can be done endoscopically, avoiding the need for dacryocystorhinostomy.