Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To analyze the pathologic diagnoses of dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) specimens submitted to a single ophthalmic pathology laboratory. Methods: DCR specimens that were accessioned between 1991 and 2000 to the L.F. Montgomery Ophthalmic Pathology Laboratory were reviewed. All of the specimens included a lacrimal sac biopsy. The pathologic diagnosis of the specimens were analyzed to determine the prevalence of each distinct pathologic diagnosis. Results: There were 324 (1.5%) DCR specimens that included lacrimal sac biopsies in a total of 21,018 ophthalmic specimens evaluated during 1991-2000. Nongranulomatous inflammation was the most common diagnosis, occurring in 173 (84%) of cases. Other diagnoses in decreasing order of frequency included lymphoma 6 (1.8%), granulomatous inflammation consistent with sarcoidosis 4 (1.2%), papilloma 4 (1.2%), transitional cell carcinoma 2 (0.6%), squamous cell carcinoma 2 (0.6%), carcinoma-in-situ 2 (0.6%) and single cases of adenocarcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma, granular cell tumor, plasmacytoma, leukemic infiltrate and lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. Conclusions: Nongranulomatous inflammation consistent with chronic dacryocystitis is present in most lacrimal sac specimens from DCR surgery. Neoplasms resulting in chronic nasolacrimal duct occlusion are not infrequent. Pathologic examination of DCR specimens is indicated.
Keywords: 501 orbit • 507 pathology: human • 610 tumors