Dacryoadenitis

Dacryoadenitis
Lacrimal gland(upper left)
Specialty	Ophthalmology

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

• Swelling of the outer portion of the upper lid, with possible redness and tenderness^{[citation needed]}
• Pain in the area of swelling^{[citation needed]}
• Excess tearing or discharge^{[citation needed]}
• Swelling of lymph nodes in front of the ear^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

Acute dacryoadenitis is most commonly due to viral or bacterial infection. Common causes include mumps, Epstein-Barr virus, staphylococcus, and gonococcus.^{[citation needed]}

Chronic dacryoadenitis is usually due to noninfectious inflammatory disorders. Examples include sarcoidosis, thyroid eye disease, and orbital pseudotumor.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

Mumps can be prevented by immunization. Gonococcus, bacteria can be avoided by the use of condoms. Most other causes cannot be prevented.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

Most patients will fully recover from dacryoadenitis. For conditions with more serious causes, such as sarcoidosis, the prognosis is that of the underlying condition.^{[citation needed]}

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