Indian Journal of Ophthalmology

ARTICLES
Year
: 1973  |  Volume : 21  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 43--44

Traumatic prolapse of the lacrimal gland


MC Nahata, PK Sethi 
 Department of Ophthalmology, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, Indore (M.P.), India

Correspondence Address:
M C Nahata
Department of Ophthalmology, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, Indore (M.P.)
India




How to cite this article:
Nahata M C, Sethi P K. Traumatic prolapse of the lacrimal gland.Indian J Ophthalmol 1973;21:43-44


How to cite this URL:
Nahata M C, Sethi P K. Traumatic prolapse of the lacrimal gland. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 1973 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];21:43-44
Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?1973/21/1/43/31417


Full Text

The lacrimal gland is well protected from injuries by virtue of its anato�mical location in the lacrimal fossa of the frontal bone. It is further shielded by the orbital margin which is well developed in adults. The occurrence of prolapse of the lacrimal gland due to injury, was first noticed by VON GRAEFE.[3] Since then a few cases have been reported by JACKSON,[4] EL.�KINANI[2] and others. We are report�ing this case considering the rarity of the condition.

 Case Report



A.L. 6 months F. was admitted to the M.Y. Hospital on 26-10-1971 with the history of a fall - three months back-from the lap of her mother, who was sitting on the ground. Since then she developed a swelling in the region of the right eye which was slow�ly increasing in size.

On Examination

There was a scar in the region of the upper eye lid on the temporal side, 1 cm. below the eye-brow. There was ptosis of the ' upper lid. On the temporal side in the palpebral area, there was a lobulated swelling �" in diameter, pink in colour and firm in consistency. This nodule was freely mobile over the surface of the sclera, the conjunctiva over it was free.

Treatment

An attempt was made twice to se�cure the prolapsed tissue by suspend�ing it from the periosteum at the or�bital margin. Each time: on the first dressing, which was done after 48 hours, the prolapse had recurred. The tissue was excised and submitted for histological examination, . The section revealed the normal acinous structure of the lacrimal gland.

 Discussion



The prolapse of lacrimal gland is an unusual event which can occur due to trauma, orbital tumour or spontane�ously. Traumatic dislocation occurs exclusively in children since the upper and lateral orbital margins are not well developed.

In this case there was a scar in the region of the skin below the eye-brow suggesting that a perforating injury might have occurred leading to the prolapse of lacrimal gland, probably due to fall over some projecting sur�face.

References

1Duke-Elder, S.: System of Ophthal�mology. Vol. XIV, Pt. - 1, Henry Kimpton, London, 1972.
2El.-Kinani: Bull. Ophthal. Soc. Egypt, 38: 137. Quoted by Duke�Elder, S. 1972, Reference 1. p. 443, 1945.
3von Graefe: V. Graefe's Arch. Ophthal. 12, (2), 224. Quoted by Duke-Elder, S. 1972. Reference 1, p. 307, 1866.
4Jackson: Ophthal. Rec. 13: 345, Quoted by Duke-Elder, S. 1972, Re�ference 1. p. 307, 1904.