Frequency and Characteristic Findings of the Common Canaliculus in Koreans.

Lim, Eun Hae; Jang, Sun Young; Jang, Jae Woo

doi:2012.53.11.1549

J Korean Ophthalmol Soc > Volume 53(11); 2012 > Article

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2012;53(11):1549-1553.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2012.53.11.1549 Published online November 15, 2012.

Frequency and Characteristic Findings of the Common Canaliculus in Koreans.

Eun Hae Lim, Sun Young Jang, Jae Woo Jang

Myung-Gok Eye Research Institute, Konyang University Kim's Eye Hospital, Seoul, Korea. jwjang63@gmail.com

한국인에서의 눈물소관과 눈물주머니의 연결 형태

임은혜⋅장선영⋅장재우

Abstract

PURPOSE
To investigate the different types of anatomical connection between the lacrimal sac and the canaliculi using digital subtraction dacryocystography (DCG) in Koreans. METHODS: The authors of the present study performed digital subtraction DCG in Korean patients who presented with epiphora from January 2010 until December 2010. The 248 patients (496 eyes) who achieved a satisfactory DCG image were classified as follows: 1) type I: visible common canaliculus (CC), 2) type II: no visible CC and the canaliculi entering the sac at the point where they meet on the sac wall (common opening), 3) type III: no visible CC and common opening, and each canaliculus entering the sac from different points. RESULTS: Out of a total of 496 eyes, CC was observed in 449 eyes (type I: 90.5%). In 41 eyes (8.3%), the CC was absent (type II), but the upper and lower canaliculi joined at the wall of the lacrimal sac. In 6 eyes (1.2%), the upper and lower canaliculi entered the sac separately (type III). Eighteen patients (7.3%) showed different types of lacrimal drainage system between the 2 eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The CC may not exist in all patients, and the type of anatomical connection between the lacrimal sac and the canaliculi may be different between the eyes in the same individuals. Although such patients comprise a minority, anatomical knowledge of the lacrimal drainage system could be helpful to assess and manage patients with lacrimal drainage disorder.

Key Words: Common canaliculus;Digital subtraction dacryocystography;Lacrimal drainage system;Lacrimal sac