Amyloidosis of lacrimal gland

Abstract

Primary localized amyloidosis of lacrimal gland is a rare occurrence. This report describes a female patient with isolated amyloidosis of the lacrimal gland. A 45-year-old Indian woman presented with a swelling over the left lacrimal gland region. Computed tomography showed uniform enlargement of the lacrimal gland. A lacrimal gland biopsy revealed amyloidosis. No systemic involvement was detected on further investigation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of lacrimal gland amyloidosis from India and our report also highlights the importance of lacrimal gland biopsy in diagnosing lacrimal gland masses.

Figure 1

Clinical photograph showing left ptosis and inferior globe displacement

Figure 2

(A) Computed tomography scan (axial view) showing welldefined enlargement of left lacrimal gland (arrow), (B) Photomicrograph of lacrimal gland biopsy illustrating acini infiltrated with amorphous eosinophilic material which has completely replaced the acini in certain areas (H & E, ×100), (C) Section stained with Congo red showing brick-red staining of the amorphous material consistent with amyloid replacing the entire lobule on the right side and deposited in the perivascular region (arrow) (Congo red stain, original magnification ×200), (D) Section stained with Congo red and viewed under polarized light illustrates the apple-green birefringence characteristic of amyloidosis