Laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy of acquired dacryops in a dog.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel minimally invasive surgical approach to treatment of a nasolacrimal duct cyst in a dog and outcome.

ANIMAL STUDIED: A 10-year-old, male entire, Springer Spaniel with a chronic right-sided maxillary swelling and associated right eye epiphora and sneezing.

PROCEDURE: Computed tomography with dacryocystography confirmed a cystic structure and destruction of the right maxilla and zygomatic bone with invasion of the nasal cavity. Obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct was confirmed. Rhinoscopy was performed allowing visualization of the ventromedial wall of the cyst. Under direct visualization, dacryocystorhinostomy was performed and the wall of the cyst was ablated with the aid of a thulium laser fiber.

RESULTS: No intraoperative complications occurred during the procedure. Full resolution of clinical signs was noted within 2 weeks of treatment. No recurrence had occurred on long-term follow-up at 32 months.

CONCLUSIONS: Laser-assisted dacrocystorhinostomy under direct visualization was successful in the treatment and resolution of a nasolacrimal duct cyst (dacryops) in this case.