title: The association of lacrimal gland inflammation with alopecia areata.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the association of lacrimal gland inflammation with alopecia areata.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the medical records of 4 patients diagnosed with lacrimal gland inflammation who had an antecedent or subsequent episode of alopecia. Data was collected on the presentation age, gender, medical history, disease onset, symptoms and signs, imaging, histopathology, systemic evaluation, management and outcome. Pathology and imaging results were correlated with clinical findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three patients were Asian and one Caucasian. Two developed alopecia after presentation for lacrimal inflammation. The remaining two had a history of alopecia totalis (2 years and 10 years). Three of the 4 patients presented or developed other systemic disorders, including seizures, thrombocytopenia, optic neuritis, ulcerative colitis, allergic rhinitis, lymphadenopathy, vasculitic rash and positive p-ANCA values. All received oral corticosteroids, with the addition of methotrexate therapy in one for relapsing inflammation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lacrimal gland inflammation and alopecia areata are autoimmune processes that can be seen in association with each other.
authors.affiliation: Singapore National Eye Center , Singapore .
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chee
authors.forename: Kee Siew
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Fong
authors.forename: Issam
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Al Jajeh
authors.forename: Nariman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nassiri
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rootman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male
keywords: Alopecia areata; autoimmune disease; lacrimal gland inflammation