Dacryocystography. I. The normal lacrimal apparatus.

IT HAS been almost half a century (1909) since roentgenographic methods were first applied to the study of the lacrimal drainage apparatus. Since then, although many ophthalmologists have had experiences with these methods, there exist only a few isolated papers available as reference material in this field. Conspicuously deficient has been information concerning the appearance of the normal lacrimal system. Also, there is a lack of experience on the part of the clinical radiologist, and as a result the value of lacrimal x-rays has been limited. This study had for its purposes ( a ) the development of a simple, standardized clinical method for the roentgen examination of the lacrimal apparatus; ( b ) the determination of roentgenographic criteria for the normal system; ( c ) the selection of a contrast medium, eminently suited for lacrimal roentgenography and hitherto unreported for this purpose, and ( d ) emphasis on the aid which this technique may afford the clinical