The Lacrimal System.

The lacrimal gland produces the aqueous component of the tear film, and its disease can cause dry eye, pain, proptosis, or diplopia. Lacrimal gland lesions are diverse: roughly half inflammatory, a quarter lymphoproliferative, and a quarter epithelial tumor, with substantial overlap in imaging features. Consequently, tissue sampling remains essential for accurate diagnosis and management. Conventional CT and MR imaging aid in diagnosis and define anatomic extent; correlating imaging with clinical history and examination is vital. Advanced MR techniques may offer tissue-specific information. The lacrimal sac and extra-orbital sites should also be considered in formulating differential diagnoses and treatment strategies.