A case of immunoglobulin 4-related disease with bilateral mass-forming lesions in the nasolacrimal ducts

J Clin Rheumatol. 2011 Jun;17(4):207-10. doi: 10.1097/RHU.0b013e31821c71a3.

Abstract

This case study describes a 58-year-old man with watery eyes, bilateral swelling of the ala nasi and submandibular glands, and a swollen right parotid gland. Computed tomography revealed mass-forming lesions in both nasolacrimal ducts, extending bilaterally to the lacrimal sac and inferior meatus in the nose. Pathologic investigation showed marked infiltrates of immunoglobulin 4 (IgG4)-positive plasma cells in the nasolacrimal duct lesion, which led us to diagnose IgG4-related disease. Oral prednisolone improved the symptoms of watery eyes and the bilateral swelling of the nasolacrimal duct and salivary gland enlargement. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of IgG4-related disease involving mass-forming lesions in the nasolacrimal ducts.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Autoimmune Diseases / complications*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / pathology
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mikulicz' Disease / diagnosis*
  • Mikulicz' Disease / drug therapy
  • Mikulicz' Disease / etiology*
  • Nasolacrimal Duct / pathology*
  • Plasma Cells / immunology
  • Plasma Cells / pathology
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Prednisolone