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Unraveling the Difficult Diagnosis of Dacryoadenitis

The inflammatory etiologies of dacryoadenitis are thought to be more common than the infectious causes. Inflammatory reactions within the lacrimal gland may be associated with sarcoidosis, Wegener's granulomatosis, thyroid ophthalmopathy, Sjögren's syndrome and orbital pseudotumor. Dacryoadenitis has also been found in association with inflammatory bowel disease.

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Articles of Interest

Acute Dacryoadenitis due to Primary Epstein-Barr Virus Infection

Although rare, ocular symptoms of primary EBV infection are important for diagnosis. Acute dacryoadenitis should be considered as a rare manifestation and an underdiagnosed complication of primary EBV infection.

Acute Infantile Dacryoadenitis

Acute dacryoadenitis, characterized by rapid enlargement and inflammation of the lacrimal gland,1 is caused by infection, tumor, or autoimmune disease. Dacryoadenitis is quite rare in pediatric patients, but it has been reported in association with infectious diseases, particularly Epstein-Barr virus infection.

Ento Key

Dacryoadenitis is any acute, subacute, or chronic inflammatory condition of the lacrimal gland. While it is commonly attributed to the main lacrimal gland, the accessory lacrimal glands may also be affected. Inflammations may be either of infectious or noninfectious etiology, and when both have been ruled out, infiltrative and masquerade syndromes have to be considered.

The many facets of dacryoadenitis

The lacrimal gland is often a primary target of the immune system, as a result of an autoimmune disorder, or unique to the lacrimal gland, as in the poorly understood idiopathic lesions.

Resources

EyeWiki

The most common infectious etiology for dacryoadenitis is viral, with Epstein-Barr virus being the most common viral cause. Less common viral causes include adenovirus, varicella zoster, herpes simplex, rhinovirus, cytomegalovirus or mumps.

StatPearls

Dacryoadenitis refers to acute or chronic inflammation of the lacrimal gland and can be due to infectious, inflammatory, or idiopathic causes. Acute dacryoadenitis is most common in children and young adults and typically presents with erythema and tenderness over the superotemporal orbit with enlargement of the gland causing the lateral portion of the eyelid to fall, creating a characteristic S-shaped curve of the eyelid margin.

WikEM

Unilateral pain, redness, swelling, pressure in orbital supratemporal area.