Dacryoadenitis
Lacrimal gland(upper left)
Specialty	Ophthalmology

Dacryoadenitis is inflammation of the lacrimal glands . ^[1]

Symptoms [ edit ]

• Swelling of the outer portion of the upper lid, with possible redness and tenderness
• Pain in the area of swelling
• Excess tearing or discharge
• Swelling of lymph nodes in front of the ear

Complications [ edit ]

Swelling may be severe enough to put pressure on the eye and distort vision . Some patients first thought to have dacryoadenitis may turn out to have a malignancy of the lacrimal gland.

Causes [ edit ]

Acute dacryoadenitis is most commonly due to viral or bacterial infection . Common causes include mumps , Epstein-Barr virus , staphylococcus , and gonococcus .

Chronic dacryoadenitis is usually due to noninfectious inflammatory disorders. Examples include sarcoidosis , thyroid eye disease, and orbital pseudotumor.

Diagnosis [ edit ]

Dacryoadenitis can be diagnosed by examination of the eyes and lids. Special tests such as a CT scan may be required to search for the cause. Sometimes biopsy will be needed to be sure that a tumor of the lacrimal gland is not present.

Prevention [ edit ]

Mumps can be prevented by immunization . Gonococcus, bacteria can be avoided by the use of condoms . Most other causes cannot be prevented.

Treatment [ edit ]

If the cause of dacryoadenitis is a viral condition such as mumps, simple rest and warm compresses may be all that is needed. For other causes, the treatment is specific to the causative disease.

Prognosis [ edit ]

Most patients will fully recover from dacryoadenitis. For conditions with more serious causes, such as sarcoidosis, the prognosis is that of the underlying condition.

References [ edit ]

External links [ edit ]

• Source (NIH/Medline)
• eMedicine
• Diseases Database (DDB): 3430