Charles R. Leone

The success rate of silicone intubation in congenital lacrimal obstruction.

In our series of 100 patients who had unsuccessful probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction, all had silicone intubation associated with infracturing of the inferior turbinate. The age range was from 7 months to 4 years at the time of intubation. Sixty patients had tubes in for 1 year, and all but one, a 3-year-old girl, were treated successfully. Of the 40 who had tubes in place for less than 1 year, 38 were treated successfully. The two unsuccessful cases were those of a 3-year-old boy and a 4-year-old boy, whose tubes were removed at 3 and 4 months, respectively. The overall success rate in our series was 97%; all patients younger than two years old at the time of intubation were treated successfully.

Malignant Melanoma of the Lacrimal Sac

A 79-year-old man with a bloody ocular discharge and a mass above the medial canthal tendon was found to have a malignant melanoma of the lacrimal sac. Because he refused radical surgery, he was treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Within a year the tumor had spread to his palate and cervical nodes. Because of the uncommon occurrence of melanoma in the lacrimal area and the fact that the microscopic appearance may resemble other malignancies, special stains are necessary for identification to implement the appropriate therapy.

The Success Rate of Silicone Intubation in Congenital Lacrimal Obstruction

In our series of 100 patients who had unsuccessful probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction, all had silicone intubation associated with infracturing of the inferior turbinate. The age range was from 7 months to 4 years at the time of intubation. Sixty patients had tubes in for 1 year, and all but one, a 3-year-old girl, were treated successfully. Of the 40 who had tubes in place for less than 1 year, 38 were treated successfully. The two unsuccessful cases were those of a 3-year-old boy and a 4-year-old boy, whose tubes were removed at 3 and 4 months, respectively. The overall success rate in our series was 97%; all patients younger than two years old at the time of intubation were treated successfully.