Dacryoadenitis

Dacryoadenitis

Article
Allergy
Eye & Vision
+4
Contributed byNizamuddin SHM, MD, FRCS+1 moreNov 08, 2019

What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

  • Dacryoadenitides
  • Dacryocystitides
  • Inflammation of the Lacrimal Gland

What is Dacryoadenitis? (Definition/Background Information)

  • Dacryoadenitis is a rare condition that is characterized by the inflammation of the lacrimal gland, which is located near the eye. The lacrimal gland is responsible for producing tears
  • The condition can affect individuals of any age. The risk factors for developing Dacryoadenitis include exposure to microscopic pathogens (such as viruses and bacteria) or the presence of non-infectious inflammatory disorders
  • Dacryoadenitis can be acute or chronic:
    • Acute Dacryoadenitis is generally caused by viral, bacterial, or fungal infections. The signs and symptoms may include painful outer eyelid, excessive tearing, and fever. The onset of the condition is rapid or sudden; it may develop within hours to days
    • Chronic Dacryoadenitis is caused by inflammatory disorders. It is less severe and results in less painful swelling of the eyelids. It may take months and years to develop. It is more common than Acute Dacryoadenitis
  • A healthcare professional may use a physical exam, previous medical history, and CT scan studies in order to diagnose the condition. The diagnosis of Dacryoadenitis will also involve an eye exam by an eye specialist
  • If adequate treatment of Acute Dacryoadenitis is provided, such as treating the underlying infection, the prognosis is good. The prognosis of Chronic Dacryoadenitis depends on the severity of the underlying inflammatory disorder and the response to treatment

Who gets Dacryoadenitis? (Age and Sex Distribution)

  • Individuals of different ages and genders can be affected by Dacryoadenitis
  • The condition can be observed in any race or ethnicity with no preference being observed

What are the Risk Factors for Dacryoadenitis? (Predisposing Factors)

The risk factors for Dacryoadenitis depend upon whether it is an acute form or chronic form. The risk factors are given below:

  • Acute Dacryoadenitis: Exposure to viral, bacterial, fungal and other infections
  • Chronic Dacryoadenitis: The presence of certain autoimmune and inflammatory disorders

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases one's chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Dacryoadenitis? (Etiology)

Acute Dacryoadenitis is usually caused by an infection, most commonly by a viral infection. It can also result due to certain bacterial, fungal, and other infections, but these are generally uncommon.

  • Viruses that may be involved include:
    • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV); it is one of the most common infectious cause
    • Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
    • Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
    • Varicella zoster
    • Coxsackie virus
    • Echovirus
  • Bacteria that may be involved include:
    • Gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria
    • Staphylococcus
    • Streptococcus
    • Gonococcus
    • Chlamydia trachomatis
    • In rare cases, bacterial infections such as brucellosis, syphilis, Lyme disease, and tuberculosis
  • Fungi that may be involved include:
    • Histoplasma
    • Blastomyces
  • Rarely, parasitic infections through the following organisms:
    • Acanthamoeba; a type of protozoa
    • Schistosoma or blood flukes
  • Bacterial and viral cause may be associated with upper respiratory infections

Chronic Dacryoadenitis can be due to inflammatory disorders that are not related to infections and may include:

  • Sarcoidosis: Abnormal inflammation affecting various parts of the body
  • Graves disease: Autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland
  • Orbital inflammatory syndrome or orbital pseudotumor: It gives rise to a mass in the eye orbit
  • Wegener’s granulomatosis: It is a rare autoimmune disorder affecting small blood vessels, kidneys, and lungs caused by abnormal inflammation of tissues
  • Sjögren’s syndrome: An autoimmune disorder affecting the joints, eyes, and mouth
  • Inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
  • Mikulicz disease: It is a benign inflammatory disorder wherein inflammation of the parotid gland, sub-mandibular gland, and lacrimal gland may occur

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Dacryoadenitis?

The signs and symptoms of Acute Dacryoadenitis include:

  • The outer portion of the upper eyelid may become swollen, red, and painful
  • Tearing may be excessive
  • Fever and upper respiratory infection
  • Lymph nodes located in the front of the ear may be swollen
  • Malaise (general feeling of illness)

The signs and symptoms of Chronic Dacryoadenitis include:

  • Less severe presentation of swelling
  • Absence of pain
  • Minimal inflammation of the eyelids, in comparison to Acute Dacryoadenitis
  • Dry eyes that varies in severity from one individual to another

The following may be common to both Acute Dacryoadenitis and Chronic Dacryoadenitis:

  • The condition can be unilateral or bilateral, meaning that either one eye or both the eyes may be affected
  • Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
  • Foreign body sensation in the eye
  • Fever
  • Enlarged lymph nodes in the head and neck region

How is Dacryoadenitis Diagnosed?

A diagnosis of Dacryoadenitis may include the following tests and procedures:

  • Thorough analysis of one’s medical history; information about travel and immunization history is also important
  • Complete physical examination including examination of the eye and eyelid
  • Symptom assessment: Generally, a sudden onset of the signs and symptoms indicate an acute condition, while slowly developing signs and symptoms indicate a chronic condition
  • Blood tests that include the following:
    • Complete blood count: An increased number of white blood cells in blood may indicate an infection
    • Blood tests for detecting antibodies against a viral etiology/cause
    • Blood cultures: If the cultures are negative, then a Chlamydia trachomatis infection should be considered
  • Smear and culture of any discharge (from the eye)
  • CT scan and MRI scan of the orbit
  • Diagnosis of disorders causing Chronic Dacryoadenitis may involve:
    • For sarcoidosis: Chest X-ray and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) blood test may be helpful
    • For Wegener’s granulomatosis, analyzing c-ANCA blood test levels are helpful
    • For Graves disease: Special blood tests and a thyroid biopsy
    • For Sjögren’s syndrome: Blood test to identify specific antibodies
    • For ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease: Specialized blood tests, colonoscopy, and a colon biopsy
  • Biopsy of the inflamed lacrimal gland tissue: A tissue biopsy is performed and sent to a laboratory for a pathological examination. A pathologist examines the biopsy under a microscope. After putting together clinical findings, special studies on tissues (if needed) and with microscope findings, the pathologist arrives at a definitive diagnosis

Note: Rarely, slow-growing tumors of the lacrimal gland may resemble Chronic Dacryoadenitis. A tissue biopsy is helpful in such cases.

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Dacryoadenitis?

The complications of Dacryoadenitis could include:

  • Systemic infections due to the presence of virus, bacteria, or fungi
  • Distortion of vision due to pressure from the swollen eye
  • Recurrence of Dacryoadenitis following treatment
  • Complications that arise from the underlying inflammatory disorder

How is Dacryoadenitis Treated?

The treatment of Dacryoadenitis depends on whether it is an acute or chronic condition.

  • The treatment measures for Acute Dacryoadenitis may include:
    • Applying a warm compress to the area (eye) and resting the eye for acute condition caused by viruses
    • Antiviral medication for viral infections causing Acute Dacryoadenitis; though, in many cases viral infections are self-limiting
    • Antibiotics for conditions caused by bacteria
    • Antifungal agents can be used to treat fungal-related Acute Dacryoadenitis
  • The treatment measures for Chronic Dacryoadenitis may include:
    • Treating the underlying condition/disorder is important. The treatment is usually given to control the degree of inflammation
    • Steroid therapy for autoimmune disorders
  • Treatment of symptoms: Analgesics for pain, antipyretics for fever, etc.
  • Surgical excision and removal of any tumor, if it is the cause of Dacryoadenitis

How can Dacryoadenitis be Prevented?

The prevention of Dacryoadenitis may include the following measures:

  • Avoiding or minimizing contact with individuals who have an infection (virus, bacteria, or fungus) that can cause Dacryoadenitis
  • Regularly washing one’s hands to reduce the transmission of viral, bacterial, and fungal organisms
  • Availing vaccinations for various infections, such as mumps, can decrease the chance of developing Acute Dacryoadenitis
  • Safe sex practices can reduce the chance of being infected by bacteria that cause gonorrhea (which can cause Acute Dacryoadenitis)
  • Undertaking early treatment of any underlying autoimmune or inflammatory disorder
  • The severity of certain disorders are aggravated by smoking, alcohol consumption, and through exposure to toxic fumes and smoke; these may be completely avoided

What is the Prognosis of Dacryoadenitis? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

  • Most Individuals with Acute Dacryoadenitis have a good prognosis and usually recover completely from the condition
  • Chronic Dacryoadenitis caused by inflammatory disorders may have a good prognosis, but it is dependent on the severity of the underlying condition

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Dacryoadenitis:

Mikulicz disease is a generally self-limiting condition that subsides without any treatment.

Was this article helpful

On the Article

Krish Tangella MD, MBA picture
Approved by

Krish Tangella MD, MBA

Pathology, Medical Editorial Board, DoveMed Team
Nizamuddin SHM, MD, FRCS picture
Reviewed by

Nizamuddin SHM, MD, FRCS

Ophthalmology, Medical Editorial Board

0 Comments

Please log in to post a comment.

Related Articles

Test Your Knowledge

Asked by users

Related Centers

Loading

Related Specialties

Loading card

Related Physicians

Related Procedures

Related Resources

Join DoveHubs

and connect with fellow professionals

Related Directories

Who we are

At DoveMed, our utmost priority is your well-being. We are an online medical resource dedicated to providing you with accurate and up-to-date information on a wide range of medical topics. But we're more than just an information hub - we genuinely care about your health journey. That's why we offer a variety of products tailored for both healthcare consumers and professionals, because we believe in empowering everyone involved in the care process.
Our mission is to create a user-friendly healthcare technology portal that helps you make better decisions about your overall health and well-being. We understand that navigating the complexities of healthcare can be overwhelming, so we strive to be a reliable and compassionate companion on your path to wellness.
As an impartial and trusted online resource, we connect healthcare seekers, physicians, and hospitals in a marketplace that promotes a higher quality, easy-to-use healthcare experience. You can trust that our content is unbiased and impartial, as it is trusted by physicians, researchers, and university professors around the globe. Importantly, we are not influenced or owned by any pharmaceutical, medical, or media companies. At DoveMed, we are a group of passionate individuals who deeply care about improving health and wellness for people everywhere. Your well-being is at the heart of everything we do.

© 2023 DoveMed. All rights reserved. It is not the intention of DoveMed to provide specific medical advice. DoveMed urges its users to consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and answers to their personal medical questions. Always call 911 (or your local emergency number) if you have a medical emergency!