Dacryoadenitis

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Keywords and Synonyms: Blocked tear duct

Overview
Dacryoadenitis is inflammation of the lacrimal glands (the tear-producing glands).

Acute Causes

 * Epstein-Barr virus
 * Gonococcus
 * Mumps
 * Staphylococcus

Chronic Causes
Chronic dacryoadenitis is usually due to noninfectious inflammatory disorders.
 * Orbital pseudotumor
 * Sarcoidosis
 * Thyroid eye disease

Differential Diagnosis of Underlying Causes of Dacryoadenitis
Organized by organ system

Symptoms

 * 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

Physical Examination
Dacryoadenitis can be diagnosed by examination of the eyes and lids.

CT
Special tests such as a CT scan may be required to search for the cause.

Biopsy
Sometimes biopsy will be needed to be sure that a tumor of the lacrimal gland is not present.

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

Complications
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.

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