J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2013 Jul;54(7):1001-1005. 10.3341/jkos.2013.54.7.1001.

Lacrimal Gland Ductulitis: Clinical Features and Management

• Kim SI
• Lee KW

• KMID: 2217407
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2013.54.7.1001

Abstract

PURPOSE
To describe the clinical characteristics and management of a group of patients who had infection of the lacrimal gland ductules.
METHODS
We performed a retrospective chart review of 12 patients who had infection of the lacrimal gland ductules and were managed at Saevit Eye Hospital from June 2010 to May 2012.
RESULTS
The patients' mean age was 31.8 +/- 17.7 years, and 7 were male and 5 were female. Common symptoms were a painful, swelling mass with mucous discharge (8 eyes) and conjunctival injection (4 eyes) at the lateral canthal area. All patients underwent surgical intervention by incision and curettage. Eleven patients (91.7%) had typical sulfur granule of actinomyces, and 8 patients (66.7%) had many cilia in the expressed debris from the ductule. All patients had resolution of symptoms after the procedure and showed no recurrence.
CONCLUSIONS
Infective lacrimal gland ductulitis should be considered when a painful swelling mass with mucous discharge at the lateral canthal area is present. Surgical intervention by incision and curettage can be attempted preferentially as a minimally-invasive treatment option.

Keyword

Actinomyces; Lacrimal gland ductulitis

MeSH Terms

Actinomyces
Cilia
Curettage
Eye
Female
Humans
Lacrimal Apparatus
Male
Retrospective Studies
Sulfur
Sulfur

Figure

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  Figure 1. (A) Patient referred with painful lid swelling, persistent temporal conjunctival injection, and chronic mucopurulent dis-charge from the lacrimal gland ductule. (B) Many cilia in the expressed debris from the affected ductule.

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  Figure 2. Light microscopic photograph of expressed debris specimen shows (A) necrotic tissue debris consistent with dacryolith and cilia (HE stain, ×40) (B) Multiple foci of Actinomyces organisms (GMS stain, ×200).

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