Bilateral sequential bacterial dacryoadenitis with abscess– a case report

Abstract Background Acute dacryoadenitis is characterized by inflammation of the lacrimal gland, and is typically viral. Bacterial dacryoadenitis is rare, with Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species being the most common pathogens. The bilateral sequential onset of dacryoadenitis has not been desc...

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Main Authors: Lydia Lam, James Pietris, Clare Quigley, Garry Davis, James Slattery, Dinesh Selva
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:BMC Ophthalmology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-025-04063-2
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author Lydia Lam
James Pietris
Clare Quigley
Garry Davis
James Slattery
Dinesh Selva
author_facet Lydia Lam
James Pietris
Clare Quigley
Garry Davis
James Slattery
Dinesh Selva
author_sort Lydia Lam
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Acute dacryoadenitis is characterized by inflammation of the lacrimal gland, and is typically viral. Bacterial dacryoadenitis is rare, with Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species being the most common pathogens. The bilateral sequential onset of dacryoadenitis has not been described in the literature to date. Case presentation A 54-year-old immunocompetent female presented to the emergency department with a 1-week history of left-sided periorbital swelling, erythema, and pain. Orbital computed tomography demonstrated significant soft tissue thickening and swelling surrounding the left orbit and a lacrimal gland abscess. Culture swabs were negative for microorganisms. Despite initial management with intravenous antibiotics and surgical drainage, the condition recurred post-discharge. Three years later, the patient experienced similar symptoms in the right eye. Cultures were repeatedly negative for microorganisms. Despite courses of intravenous antibiotics and surgical drainage, the patient experienced recurrences of abscesses in the right eye, highlighting the challenges in managing this rare condition. Conclusions We describe a unique case of bilateral sequential bacterial dacryoadenitis with abscess formation. This case highlights the need for prompt diagnosis and management, including surgical intervention, to prevent complications and recurrences.
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spelling doaj-art-13f2de68f9dd44c1b0470def0f178f5f2025-08-20T02:17:50ZengBMCBMC Ophthalmology1471-24152025-04-012511710.1186/s12886-025-04063-2Bilateral sequential bacterial dacryoadenitis with abscess– a case reportLydia Lam0James Pietris1Clare Quigley2Garry Davis3James Slattery4Dinesh Selva5The University of Adelaide, Adelaide Medical SchoolDepartment of Ophthalmology and South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology, Royal Adelaide HospitalDepartment of Ophthalmology and South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology, Royal Adelaide HospitalDepartment of Ophthalmology and South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology, Royal Adelaide HospitalDepartment of Ophthalmology and South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology, Royal Adelaide HospitalDepartment of Ophthalmology and South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology, Royal Adelaide HospitalAbstract Background Acute dacryoadenitis is characterized by inflammation of the lacrimal gland, and is typically viral. Bacterial dacryoadenitis is rare, with Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species being the most common pathogens. The bilateral sequential onset of dacryoadenitis has not been described in the literature to date. Case presentation A 54-year-old immunocompetent female presented to the emergency department with a 1-week history of left-sided periorbital swelling, erythema, and pain. Orbital computed tomography demonstrated significant soft tissue thickening and swelling surrounding the left orbit and a lacrimal gland abscess. Culture swabs were negative for microorganisms. Despite initial management with intravenous antibiotics and surgical drainage, the condition recurred post-discharge. Three years later, the patient experienced similar symptoms in the right eye. Cultures were repeatedly negative for microorganisms. Despite courses of intravenous antibiotics and surgical drainage, the patient experienced recurrences of abscesses in the right eye, highlighting the challenges in managing this rare condition. Conclusions We describe a unique case of bilateral sequential bacterial dacryoadenitis with abscess formation. This case highlights the need for prompt diagnosis and management, including surgical intervention, to prevent complications and recurrences.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-025-04063-2Bacterial dacryoadenitisOrbital cellulitisAbscess
spellingShingle Lydia Lam
James Pietris
Clare Quigley
Garry Davis
James Slattery
Dinesh Selva
Bilateral sequential bacterial dacryoadenitis with abscess– a case report
BMC Ophthalmology
Bacterial dacryoadenitis
Orbital cellulitis
Abscess
title Bilateral sequential bacterial dacryoadenitis with abscess– a case report
title_full Bilateral sequential bacterial dacryoadenitis with abscess– a case report
title_fullStr Bilateral sequential bacterial dacryoadenitis with abscess– a case report
title_full_unstemmed Bilateral sequential bacterial dacryoadenitis with abscess– a case report
title_short Bilateral sequential bacterial dacryoadenitis with abscess– a case report
title_sort bilateral sequential bacterial dacryoadenitis with abscess a case report
topic Bacterial dacryoadenitis
Orbital cellulitis
Abscess
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-025-04063-2
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AT garrydavis bilateralsequentialbacterialdacryoadenitiswithabscessacasereport
AT jamesslattery bilateralsequentialbacterialdacryoadenitiswithabscessacasereport
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