The crocodile tear syndrome

Gusto-lacrimation, or "crocodile tear syndrome," is a rare complication, with 95 cases reported in the literature. Two patients are presented here, one after a facial fracture which apparently extended into the temporal bone proximal to the optic ganglion, and one after a Bell's palsy...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPlastic and reconstructive surgery (1963) Vol. 63; no. 1; p. 58
Main Authors McCoy, F J, Goodman, R C
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.01.1979
Subjects
Adult
Eating
Facial Injuries - complications
Facial Paralysis - complications
Female
Fractures, Bone - complications
Humans
Lacrimal Apparatus - innervation
Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases - etiology
Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases - surgery
Nerve Regeneration
Salivary Glands - innervation
Syndrome
Tears - metabolism
Temporal Bone - injuries
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Summary:Gusto-lacrimation, or "crocodile tear syndrome," is a rare complication, with 95 cases reported in the literature. Two patients are presented here, one after a facial fracture which apparently extended into the temporal bone proximal to the optic ganglion, and one after a Bell's palsy. The mechanism appears to be a misdirection of regenerating gustatory fibers destined for the salivary glands, so that they become secretory fibers to the lacrimal gland and cause homolateral tearing while the patient is eating. A simple procedure, involving subtotal resection of the palpebral lobe of the involved lacrimal gland, proved to be an effective corrective measure in these cases. Although it was not done in these cases, it would perhaps be advisable to do a Schirmer's test to assist in determining the amount of gland to be removed.
ISSN:0032-1052
DOI:10.1097/00006534-197901000-00010