Acute infectious mononucleosis presenting with palpebral and periorbital edema

Submitted: 23 October 2012
Accepted: 23 October 2012
Published: 23 October 2012
Abstract Views: 1347
PDF: 8096
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Introduction
Almost all organs can be involved in the infection by Epstein-Barr virus and consequently, the beginning symptoms of infectious mononucleosis may be different.

Materials and methods
We report a case of infection by Epstein-Barr virus in a 17-year-old girl whose primary manifestation was an initially monolateral and subsequently bilateral dacryoadenitis.

Results
The incidence of acute dacryoadenitis by Epstein-Barr virus is valued around one case per million people per year, but it is probably underestimated: it is due to infiltration of the lacrimal gland by activated lymphocytes.

Discussion
An acute dacryoadenitis, especially when it affects a young adult and when bilateral, should guide the diagnostic and haematochemical and serological investigations towards a systemic disease such as infectious mononucleosis. It is almost always responsive to a systemic corticosteroid therapy, but in some cases it can progress towards a dacryocystitis and exceptionally towards the Sj¶gren syndrome. Appropriate and timely treatment will be able to reduce any subsequent complications.

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How to Cite

Puntorieri, E., Postorino, A., Di Bartolo, C. E., Leonardi, V., Zagari, D., & Mileto, G. (2012). Acute infectious mononucleosis presenting with palpebral and periorbital edema. Italian Journal of Medicine, 6(3), 227–230. https://doi.org/10.4081/itjm.2012.227