Stones in the lacrimal gland: a rare condition

. Purpose:  Stones (dacryoliths) in the lacrimal drainage system are relatively common. However, stones in the lacrimal gland itself are very rare. We present three cases of lacrimal gland stones and describe the clinical and histopathological characteristics and composition of the stones. Methods: ...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta ophthalmologica (Oxford, England) England), 2009-09, Vol.87 (6), p.672-675
Main Authors: Halborg, Jakob, Prause, Jan Ulrik, Toft, Peter Bjerre, Skjødt, Karen, Tommerup, Niels Rath, Nielsen, Ole Faurskov, Heegaard, Steffen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Calculi - metabolism
Calculi - pathology
Calculi - surgery
dacryolithiasis
Humans
Lacrimal Apparatus - pathology
Lacrimal Apparatus - surgery
Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases - metabolism
Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases - pathology
Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases - surgery
lacrimal gland stone
Male
Middle Aged
Nasolacrimal Duct - pathology
Nasolacrimal Duct - surgery
Raman spectroscopy
Rare Diseases
sialolithiasis
Spectrum Analysis, Raman
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:. Purpose:  Stones (dacryoliths) in the lacrimal drainage system are relatively common. However, stones in the lacrimal gland itself are very rare. We present three cases of lacrimal gland stones and describe the clinical and histopathological characteristics and composition of the stones. Methods:  Three patients presented with swelling in the lateral canthal region of several months’ duration. Clinical examination in each case revealed a mass adjacent to the lacrimal gland. We carried out surgical excision, histological examination and Raman spectroscopy. Results:  Histopathological examination of the excised material showed an eosinophilic, amorphic material organized in lamellae and localized in a ductule. The findings were consistent with a stone in the lacrimal gland in all three cases. All stones were composed of proteins of similar types. After surgery, the three patients healed without complications. Conclusions:  Lacrimal gland stones represent a very rare but relevant differential diagnosis when a patient presents with unilateral persistent conjunctivitis or with a tumour in the lateral canthus. Treatment is excision under local anaesthesia.
ISSN:1755-375X
1755-3768
DOI:10.1111/j.1755-3768.2008.01301.x