Chronic Dacryoadenitis

Chronic Dacryoadenitis

Etiology: The chronic form of inflammation of the lacrimal gland may be theresult of an incompletely healed acute dacryoadenitis. Diseases such as tuber-culosis, sarcoidosis, leukemia, or lymphogranulomatosis can be causes of chronic dacryoadenitis.

Bilateral chronic inflammation of the lacrimal and salivary glands is referred to as Mikulicz’s syndrome.

Symptoms and diagnostic considerations: Usually there is no pain. Thesymptoms are less pronounced than in the acute form. However, the S-curve deformity of the palpebral fissure resulting from swelling of the lacrimal gland is readily apparent (see Fig. 3.12).

Differential diagnosis:

❖ Periostitis of the upper orbital rim (rare).❖ Lipodermoid (no signs of inflammation).

Treatment: This will depend on theunderlying disorder.Systemic corti-costeroids may be effective in treating unspecific forms.

Prognosis: The prognosis for chronic dacryoadenitis is good when the under-lying disorder can be identified.