[Correlation of otolaryngological disorders and congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction]

ABSTRACT

To determine the frequency of otolaryngological disorders in patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction [CNLDO] as compared to controls. In this case-control study, 80 children with CNLDO [cases] and 80 children without CNLDO [controls] were examined for ophthalmological and otolaryngological dosirders. Data analysis was performed using Pearson Chi-square and Fisher exact tests for frequency values and t-test for mean values. Mean age was 22.7 +/- 14.3 [range 5-72] months in the case group and 23.4 +/- 13.7 [range 9-72] months in controls [P=0.76]. CNLDO was bilateral in 7 [8.75%], left-sided in 23 [28.75%] and right-sided in 50 [62.5%] cases .There were no significant differences between cases and controls in nasal, oral and external ear examinations, however otitis media with effusion [OME] was found in 26.3% of cases vs 10% in controls [P=0.01]. Odds ratio for OME in the CNLDO group was 3.2 [95% confidence interval, 1.32-7.75]. Tympanometry was type A in 71.3%, type B in 22.5%, type C in 5% and unrecordable in 1.3% of cases compared to type A in 88.8% and type B in 11.2% of controls [P=0.01]. The incidence of asymptomatic OME in patients with CNLDO is higher than controls therefore, children with CNLDO may need screening for OME for timely diagnosis and treatment