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Lacrimal Injury During Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: Avoidance and Management

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Lessons Learned from Rhinologic Procedure Complications

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Abstract

A 41-year-old female was referred to our rhinology service after prior endoscopic sinus surgery. Her medical history was significant for chronic rhinosinusitis and allergic rhinitis. Postoperatively, she developed left-sided epiphora that did not resolve for 2 months and had persistent symptoms related to rhinosinusitis. Endoscopic examination revealed an injury to the left nasolacrimal duct at the level of the head of the middle turbinate. This was confirmed on computed tomography scan, which also demonstrated ongoing sinus inflammation. Evaluation by the ophthalmology service demonstrated nasolacrimal duct obstruction during lacrimal irrigation. After a discussion of treatment options, the patient proceeded with endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy and revision sinus surgery, which resolved the epiphora and other symptoms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Daniel M. Beswick

  2. Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA

    Todd T. Kingdom

  3. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA

    Todd T. Kingdom

Authors
  1. Daniel M. Beswick
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  2. Todd T. Kingdom
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Correspondence to Todd T. Kingdom .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA

    Rakesh K. Chandra

  2. Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Northwestern University/Northwestern Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Kevin C. Welch

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Beswick, D.M., Kingdom, T.T. (2022). Lacrimal Injury During Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: Avoidance and Management. In: Chandra, R.K., Welch, K.C. (eds) Lessons Learned from Rhinologic Procedure Complications. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-75323-8_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-75323-8_4

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-75322-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-75323-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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