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Updated: Oct 26, 2026
Three-Dimensional, Serum-Free Culture System for Lacrimal Gland Stem Cells
Published on: June 2, 2022
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a promising marker in lacrimal gland pathologies: differentiating MALT lymphoma
Muhammad Abumanhal1,2, Yasuhiro Takahashi3
1Department of Ophthalmology, Tel Aviv Sourasky University Medical Center (Ichilov), Tel Aviv, Israel.
Purpose:
To investigate the role of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in differentiating lacrimal gland pathologies, specifically mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related dacryoadenitis, and idiopathic dacryoadenitis.
Study Design:
Retrospective, observational chart review.
Methods:
This study included 61 patients with only lacrimal gland lesions who underwent lacrimal gland biopsy. Eligible cases were those with confirmed diagnoses of lacrimal gland MALT lymphoma (11 patients), definite IgG4-related dacryoadenitis (29 patients), or idiopathic dacryoadenitis (21 patients). Clinical data, imaging findings, laboratory results, and histopathological reports were reviewed. NLR was calculated from blood counts at presentation.
Results:
Mean NLR values were 3.115 in MALT lymphoma, 2.032 in IgG4-related dacryoadenitis, and 2.232 in idiopathic dacryoadenitis. One-way ANOVA and post-hoc analysis revealed a significantly higher NLR in MALT lymphoma, compared with IgG4-related dacryoadenitis (P = 0.018). NLR in MALT lymphoma also tended to be higher than in idiopathic dacryoadenitis (P = 0.082). In IgG4-related dacryoadenitis, NLR tended to be lower in bilateral cases (P = 0.200) and in patients with systemic lesions (P = 0.187), though these differences were not statistically significant.
Conclusion:
NLR may serve as a simple biomarker to help distinguish lacrimal gland MALT lymphoma from dacryoadenitis, particularly IgG4-related dacryoadenitis. These results, while promising, should be validated through large-scale, prospective studies to better define the diagnostic and prognostic utility of NLR in lacrimal gland pathologies.
