Bilateral Dacryops: Correlation of Clinical, Radiologic, and Histopathologic Features

Abstract

Apostolos JT, Deshmukh M, Sanelli PC, Brazzo BG e report a case of bilateral lacrimal gland enlargement due to dacryops. Dedicated contrastenhanced CT of the orbits showed bilateral peripherally enhancing cystic structures that were contiguous with the palpebral lobes of the lacrimal glands. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of bilateral dacryops, an extremely rare clinical entity and even rarer bilaterally. Tears are produced by the lacrimal and accessory lacrimal glands and drain through the lacrimal ducts. Their function is to keep the ocular surface moist and clear of debris and bacteria. The major lacrimal glands are located at the anterior superolateral aspects of the orbits, adjacent to the tendons of the superior and lateral rectus muscles. The gland is separated into two lobes: the orbital and the palpebral [1]. Loss of lacrimal ductule contractility combined with distention of the duct wall results in a condition called “dacryops” [2]. Dacryops refers to a cyst of the lacrimal gland and can develop anywhere the lacrimal tissue is present. Cysts develop insidiously and present as painless masses on the eyelids. Their clinical presentation is rare, and their bilateral presentation is encountered even less frequently. We present the clinical, histopathologic, and CT appearance of bilateral dacryops as a unique case.