Infectious mononucleosis presenting with dacryoadenitis.

BACKGROUND: A case of severe, bilateral, acute dacryoadenitis in a rarely reported association with infectious mononucleosis is described.

METHODS: A 16-year-old girl had acute, bilateral, lacrimal gland enlargement demonstrated with computed tomographic scanning of the orbits. Clinical findings and laboratory investigations confirmed the diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis. Treatment with systemic steroids was initiated.

RESULTS: There was rapid resolution of the clinical findings with systemic steroids.

CONCLUSION: Dacryoadenitis is an uncommon presentation of infectious mononucleosis and may overshadow the other manifestations of this disease. The diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis should be considered in patients with acute dacryoadenitis. Systemic steroids play an important role in rapidly resolving the dacryoadenitis.