Stones in the lacrimal gland: a rare condition.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Halborg
Jakob
J
Department of Eye Pathology, Institute of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Prause
Jan Ulrik
JU
Toft
Peter Bjerre
PB
Skjødt
Karen
K
Tommerup
Niels Rath
NR
Nielsen
Ole Faurskov
OF
Heegaard
Steffen
S
D000328:Adult; D002137:Calculi / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D035583:Rare Diseases; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman