Dacryoadenitis

Updated: Nov 07, 2023
  • Author: Gagan J Singh, MD; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy, Sr, MD  more...
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Overview

Background

The lacrimal gland is located in the supratemporal orbit. Two lobes exist, the orbital and the palpebral. The palpebral lobe is visualized easily by upper lid eversion. This eccrine secretory gland is responsible for the formation of the aqueous layer of the tear film.

By definition, dacryoadenitis is an inflammatory enlargement of the lacrimal gland. Dacryoadenitis may be separated into acute and chronic syndromes with infectious or systemic etiology. [1, 2, 3]

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Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology is not understood completely. Yet, infectious dacryoadenitis is thought to be caused by ascension of an inciting agent from the conjunctiva through the lacrimal ductules into the lacrimal gland. [1]

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Epidemiology

Frequency

United States

Dacryoadenitis is uncommon; therefore, data about its prevalence are sparse. One in 10,000 ophthalmic patients has dacryoadenitis according to one report. Inflammatory enlargement of the lacrimal gland is much more common than lacrimal gland tumors.

Mortality/Morbidity

No data are available. Acute dacryoadenitis tends to be a self-limiting condition. Patients with chronic dacryoadenitis need management of their systemic condition.

Race

No racial predilection is noted.

Sex

No sexual predilection is noted.

Age

No age predilection is noted.

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Prognosis

Acute dacryoadenitis: Prognosis is good. Acute dacryoadenitis is a self-limiting condition in most instances.

Chronic dacryoadenitis: Prognosis is dependent on the management of the associated chronic systemic condition.

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