A multidisciplinary, minimally invasive approach combining lacrimoscopy and fluoroscopically guided stenting for management of nasolacrimal apparatus obstruction in dogs

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2018 Jun 15;252(12):1527-1537. doi: 10.2460/javma.252.12.1527.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To describe and evaluate outcomes of a multidisciplinary, minimally invasive approach combining lacrimoscopy and fluoroscopically guided stenting for management of nasolacrimal apparatus (NLA) obstruction in dogs. DESIGN Prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial. ANIMALS 16 client-owned dogs with confirmed NLA obstruction. PROCEDURES Dogs underwent CT contrast dacryocystorhinography, rhinoscopy, and lacrimoscopy. Whenever possible, the NLA was stented, typically with fluoroscopic guidance. RESULTS Median duration of clinical signs prior to treatment was 3.2 months (range, 0.2 to 14 months). Causes of NLA obstruction were a foreign body (n = 5), dacryocystitis (4), stenosis secondary to fibrosis (3), granulation tissue (1), or granulation tissue in association with a small foreign body (1); a cause was not identified in 2 dogs. Stents were placed in 14 of 16 (88%) dogs for a median duration of 5.6 weeks (range, 1.3 to 9.4 weeks). Stenting was not possible in 2 dogs with stenosis of the NLA secondary to granulation tissue or fibrosis. Owners of all 16 dogs reported at least 60% clinical improvement with median improvement rated as 95%, and owners of 8 dogs reporting complete resolution of signs. Two dogs required antimicrobial administration because of dacryocystitis that persisted after stent removal; a foreign body was not found in either dog. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Overall clinical response and owner-rated improvement for dogs with NLA obstruction that underwent lacrimoscopy and fluoroscopically guided stenting were high, especially given that these dogs had failed to respond to conventional treatment.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Veterinary

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dog Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Dog Diseases / surgery*
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Fluoroscopy / veterinary
  • Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / veterinary
  • Nasolacrimal Duct / surgery*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Stents / veterinary
  • Treatment Outcome