Doppler Ultrasound in the assessment of blood supply to lacrimal gland in healthy individuals of different ages

Purpose . To study the haemodynamic characteristics in the lacrimal artery (LA) and lacrimal vein (LV) in healthy adults and children of different ages. Materials and methods . 360 healthy individuals (720 eyes), including 180 children (group 1) and 180 adults (group 2), underwent ultrasound examination with color Doppler imaging (CDI) and pulse wave Doppler to assess blood flow in LA and LV. All subjects were divided into subgroups depending on their age. The 1A subgroup included 60 children aged 1-7 years, 1Б subgroup included 60 children aged 7–13 years and 1В subgroup included 60 children aged 13–17 years. The 2A subgroup included 60 adults aged 18–40 years, 2Б subgroup included 60 subjects aged 40–60 years and 2B subgroup included 60 subjects aged 60–90 years. The maximum systolic velocity (Vsyst), the end diastolic velocity (Vdiast) and resistance index (RI) of LA and Vsyst of LV were registered in all subgroups. Results . The minimum mean values of Vsyst were determined in 1A and 2B subgroups. Similar changes of V diast in LA were registered. On the other hand, the minimal highest mean values of Vsyst in LV were identified in 1A subgroup, which were significantly different from those in 1B and 1B subgroups (p<0.05). The minimum mean values of Vsyst in SV were determined in individuals of 2B subgroup. Conclusions . The normative values of blood flow in LA and LV can be used as echographic criteria for diagnostics of lacrimal gland diseases.