Clinical Research Directory

Portable Endoscopic Camera System Using Modified Action Camera for Endoscopic Sinunasal Examination

This study is designed to compare two methods for performing a nasal endoscopic examination used in the evaluation of excessive watering or tearing of the eyes. The purpose of the study is to determine whether a new, smaller, modified camera system can produce images of the inside of the nose that are as clear and useful as those produced by the standard endoscopic camera system currently used in clinics. The study seeks to answer the question of whether a compact, easy-to-store camera system can provide similar diagnostic image quality to the traditional, larger tower-based system. The clinical steps of the nasal examination remain the same; the only difference is the type of camera system used to capture the images.

Artificial Tears to Prevent Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction in Patients Treated With Radioactive Iodine for Thyroid Cancer

The association of radioiodine therapy for the treatment of thyroid cancer with nasolacrimal duct obstruction has been well documented in the medical literature. Prior case reports have documented radioactive iodine detection in the tears of patients following radioiodine therapy. It is possible that radioactive uptake by the cells in the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct lead to inflammation, fibrosis, and obstruction of the tear duct over time. A recent study has shown that the administration of artificial tears decreases the level of detectable radioiodine in the tears of patients undergoing radioiodine therapy for thyroid cancer. The purpose of this study will be to assess whether administering tears after radioactive iodine therapy for thyroid cancer decreases the incidence of nasolacrimal duct obstruction in the two years following radioactive iodine treatment.

Effect of Standardized Lacrimal Sac Massage Compared With Probing for Congenital Lacrimal Duct Obstruction

Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) is a common ophthalmic condition in children, presenting with tearing and pus overflow, with a prevalence of 5%-20% within 1 year of age. Although most cases resolve spontaneously within 1 year of age, some children require treatment. Lacrimal sac massage is a non-invasive, easy and cost-effective conservative treatment that helps to unblock the obstruction by increasing the pressure in the tear duct. Studies have shown that massage has a 93% cure rate in children under 8 months of age. In contrast, tear duct probing is effective but invasive and risky. In recent years, with the development of minimally invasive techniques, lacrimal sac massage has received renewed attention, and studies have shown its efficacy to be comparable to probing. However, there are problems of non-standardized massage timing and techniques in clinical practice, which affects the therapeutic efficacy. This study aims to assess whether the efficacy of standardized dacryocystic massage is not inferior to that of dacryocystorhinostomy through a randomized controlled trial, providing a reference for the treatment of CNLDO.