Purpose: The subject of this study was to define age-related and gender-dependent changes in MR features of the lacrimal gland.
Material and methods: MR images were retrospectively analyzed in 104 normal subjects aged 2-79 years to measure thickness and area of the lacrimal gland, its MR signal intensity ratio, and SD of the MR signal intensity profile.
Results: Thickness and area of the lacrimal gland decreased with age in women (p < 0.001), but not in men. Furthermore, MR signal intensity ratio of the lacrimal gland showed an age-related increase in women (p < 0.001), but not in men. On the other hand, SD of the MR signal intensity increased with age in both women and men (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that gender has a significant influence on lacrimal gland structure during development and aging.