Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional (3D) fast spoiled gradient-recalled (FSPGR) MR dacryocystography in patients with epiphora. Bilateral nasolacrimal systems of 19 patients suspected of having nasolacrimal canal obstruction were evaluated with MR dacryocystography. A sterile 0.9% NaCl solution containing 1:100 diluted gadolinium chelate was instilled into the bilateral conjunctival sacs of the patients. The 3D FSPGR sequence was used with 1.0-T scanner with the following parameters: TR 9.3 ms; TE 2 ms; flip angle 20 ; 256×224 matrix; 13- or 26-cm field of view; and 1-mm slice thickness. Seventeen patients had digital dacryocystography for comparison which we considered standard of reference. Thirty-four nasolacrimal systems were evaluated with MR and digital dacryocystography. Discrepancies between the findings of both methods were detected in 2 patients. The overall sensitivity of MR in detecting the obstruction was 100%. Magnetic resonance helped to determine the canalicular and ductal obstruction in 100% of the patients and the saccular obstruction in 80% of the patients. We conclude that 3D FSGR technique for MR dacryocystography is a reliable and noninvasive method in the evaluation of the obstruction level in the lacrimal system in patients with epiphora.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 2343-2348 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | European radiology |
Volume | 12 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 1 2002 |
Keywords
- Lacrimal gland and duct
- MR imaging
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging