Lacrimal gland duct stones: misdiagnosed as chalazion in 3 cases

Objective

To report 3 cases of lacrimal gland duct stones misdiagnosed as chalazion.

Design

Retrospective case series.

Participants

Three patients with lacrimal gland duct stones misdiagnosed as chalazion at a local clinic between 2010 and 2012.

Methods

A thorough review of clinical, imaging, and histopathologic manifestations.

Results

Clinical manifestations of lacrimal gland duct stones included conjunctival injection, lid swelling, tenderness, and ocular discharge, which are similar to chalazion symptoms. Computed tomography revealed a relatively well-defined, high-density mass near the lacrimal gland. Histopathologic examination of excised material revealed calcified amorphous stones.

Conclusions

Intractable chalazion-like lesions at the lateral canthal area near the lacrimal gland should be carefully examined; imaging studies are required to confirm the presence of lacrimal gland duct stones, which require surgical removal.