Lacrimal gland ductulitis caused by probable Actinomyces infection

To describe the clinical characteristics and management of a group of patients who had chronic mucopurulent conjunctivitis that was probably due to Actinomyces infection of the lacrimal gland ductules.

A retrospective, interventional case series.

Seven patients (2 male; 29%) between 34 and 52 years of age (mean, 48.7 years; median, 49 years) who presented to the lacrimal clinic.

Surgical excision of the infective focus (6 cases) or fenestration and expression of infective debris (1 case) from the affected lacrimal gland ductule--typically the most inferolateral of the ductules.

The clinical features of this previously unrecognized cause of chronic conjunctivitis and its response to treatment.

All cases settled rapidly after surgery. There was often a major delay in diagnosis, with the patients having symptoms for between 2 and 42 months before referral (mean, 13.3 months; median, 9 months); 5 patients received prolonged or ineffectual topical medical therapy before referral.

Infective lacrimal gland ductulitis, commonly from Actinomyces infection, should be considered in patients with unexplained chronic mucopurulent conjunctivitis; the condition settles rapidly with surgery.

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