Dacryoadenitis: do not forget ANCA vasculitis

Rom J Ophthalmol. 2024 Apr-Jun;68(2):187-190. doi: 10.22336/rjo.2024.35.

Abstract

Objective: This paper aimed to describe another form of aggressive limited Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) revealed by dacryoadenitis. Methods and results: We report an unusually limited GPA in a 48-year-old man presenting with bilateral proptosis. She had never presented kidney or pulmonary manifestations, but her disease was persistently active including oto-rhino-laryngological manifestations, dacryoadenitis, and neurological manifestations unresponsive to corticosteroids and immunosuppressors. Discussion: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is an auto-immune inflammatory vasculitis. Involvement of lacrimal glands as the first presentation is uncommon. It is characterized by the development of granulomas. Patients with orbital mass without lacrimal gland involvement have a higher rate of systemic disease, a severe clinical course, and a higher rate of recurrences. A patient with dacryoadenitis seems to be with a good prognosis. Eye manifestations were significantly more common in patients with pachymeningitis. MPO-ANCA-positive pachymeningitis was more frequent in older female patients. PR3-ANCA-positive pachymeningitis had more severe neurological damage. Induction treatment consists of intravenous methylprednisolone (IV) associated with cyclophosphamide. Conclusion: Faced with dacryoadenitis, it is important to screen for ANCA-associated vasculitis. Abbreviations: GPA = Granulomatosis with polyangiitis, ANCA = Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies.

Keywords: ANCA vasculitis; dacryoadenitis; pachymeningitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / blood
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / immunology
  • Dacryocystitis* / diagnosis
  • Dacryocystitis* / drug therapy
  • Dacryocystitis* / etiology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis* / complications
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis* / diagnosis
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic