Dacryoadenitis

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Dacryoadenitis
Illustration of the lacrimal gland
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Swelling, pain, redness in the upper eyelid
Complications	Chronic dacryoadenitis, vision problems
Onset	Sudden or gradual
Duration	Acute or chronic
Types	N/A
Causes	Viral infection, bacterial infection, autoimmune disorders
Risks	Mumps, Epstein-Barr virus, sarcoidosis, Sjogren's syndrome
Diagnosis	Clinical examination, imaging studies, biopsy
Differential diagnosis	Orbital cellulitis, dacryocystitis, conjunctivitis
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication, surgery
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Generally good with treatment
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	N/A

Dacryoadenitis

Anatomy of the lacrimal gland, showing the location of dacryoadenitis.

Dacryoadenitis is the inflammation of the lacrimal gland, which is responsible for the production of tears. This condition can be acute or chronic and is often associated with infections or systemic inflammatory disorders.

Etiology

Dacryoadenitis can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Viral infections such as mumps, Epstein-Barr virus, and cytomegalovirus.
• Bacterial infections including Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus species.
• Autoimmune disorders such as Sjögren's syndrome and sarcoidosis.
• Fungal infections and parasitic infections are less common causes.

Clinical Presentation

Patients with dacryoadenitis typically present with:

• Swelling and tenderness over the outer part of the upper eyelid.
• Redness and warmth in the affected area.
• Pain, which may be exacerbated by eye movement.
• Possible fever and malaise in cases of infectious dacryoadenitis.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of dacryoadenitis is primarily clinical, based on the characteristic signs and symptoms. However, additional tests may be performed to identify the underlying cause:

• Blood tests to check for signs of infection or autoimmune disease.
• Imaging studies such as CT scan or MRI to assess the extent of inflammation and rule out other conditions.
• Biopsy of the lacrimal gland may be necessary in chronic cases to exclude neoplastic processes.

Treatment

The treatment of dacryoadenitis depends on the underlying cause:

• For bacterial infections, antibiotics are prescribed.
• Viral infections are usually self-limiting, and supportive care is provided.
• In cases of autoimmune-related dacryoadenitis, corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive agents may be used.
• Pain management and warm compresses can help alleviate symptoms.

Prognosis

The prognosis for dacryoadenitis varies depending on the cause. Acute infectious dacryoadenitis generally resolves with appropriate treatment, while chronic forms may require ongoing management of the underlying condition.

See also

• Lacrimal gland
• Sjögren's syndrome
• Orbital cellulitis
• Conjunctivitis