Tuberculosis of the Lacrimal Gland: A Case Report

Tuberculosis of the lacrimal gland is a rare manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. It may occur in isolation or in association with pulmonary tuberculosis. The diagnosis is strongly supported by histopathological examination. Treatment relies on anti-tuberculous therapy. We report the case of a 53-year-old woman with no significant medical history who presented with chronic right-sided epiphora associated with the progressive appearance of a swelling in the region of the right lacrimal gland. A biopsy of the mass was performed, and histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of tuberculous dacryoadenitis. The patient received anti-tuberculous therapy, which resulted in significant clinical improvement maintained over a one-year follow-up period. Primary mycobacterial infection of the lacrimal gland is extremely rare. Its clinical presentation is variable, making diagnosis challenging. Therefore, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any lacrimal gland hypertrophy, especially in endemic regions.