Endoscopic management of pediatric nasolacrimal anomalies

Developmental anomalies of the nasolacrimal drainage system typically manifest early in childhood. Although the majority of cases of congenital nasolacrimal obstruction resolve spontaneously with conservative management, certain anomalies like dacryocystoceles require operative intervention. In children with persistent nasolacrimal obstruction, endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) provides an equally efficacious alternative to external DCR that concurrently allows for the potential correction of any predisposing intranasal pathology. Endoscopic DCR is best performed as a joint otolaryngologic–ophthalmologic procedure.