Nasolacrimal bone changes in diseases of the lacrimal drainage system.

The bone pieces removed from 71 patients who had undergone dacryocystorhinostomies (DCR) or canaliculodacryocystorhinostomies (CDCR) were examined pathologically. Nineteen percent of cases showed evidence of active bone remodeling, 23% had immature, woven bone present, and the remaining cases showed normal mature cortical and cancellous bone. There were no inflammatory changes found. The clinical histories of the patients were reviewed and related to the bone findings. The clinical applications of the bone changes are discussed.