Background
The lacrimal gland is located in the supratemporal orbit. Two lobes exist, the orbital and the palpebral. The palpebral lobe is visualized easily by upper lid eversion. This eccrine secretory gland is responsible for the formation of the aqueous layer of the tear film.
By definition, dacryoadenitis is an inflammatory enlargement of the lacrimal gland. Dacryoadenitis may be separated into acute and chronic syndromes with infectious or systemic etiology.
Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology is not understood completely. Yet, infectious dacryoadenitis is thought to be caused by ascension of an inciting agent from the conjunctiva through the lacrimal ductules into the lacrimal gland.
Epidemiology
Frequency
United States
Dacryoadenitis is uncommon; therefore, data about its prevalence are sparse. One in 10,000 ophthalmic patients has dacryoadenitis according to one report. Inflammatory enlargement of the lacrimal gland is much more common than lacrimal gland tumors.
Mortality/Morbidity
No data are available. Acute dacryoadenitis tends to be a self-limiting condition. Patients with chronic dacryoadenitis need management of their systemic condition.
Race
No racial predilection is noted.
Sex
No sexual predilection is noted.
Age
No age predilection is noted.
Prognosis
Acute dacryoadenitis: Prognosis is good. Acute dacryoadenitis is a self-limiting condition in most instances.
Chronic dacryoadenitis: Prognosis is dependent on the management of the associated chronic systemic condition.
