Romaña sign, also known as the periorbital swelling syndrome, refers to unilateral periorbital swelling, palpebral edema and conjunctivitis seen 1-2 weeks following infection with Trypanosoma cruzi (causative agent in Chagas disease) due to inoculation via the conjunctiva, for example by rubbing the eyes 1-3. Periorbital swelling can also be caused by allergic reaction to vector saliva or feces (e.g. triatomine), so infection cannot be assumed 3.
Romaña sign is associated with ipsilateral regional lymphadenopathy.
Romaña sign is now rare due to the rarity of seeing acute Chagas disease because control of the vector has markedly improved 2.
History and etymology
It is named after Cecilio Félix Romaña (1899-1997), an Argentinian physician, who first described the phenomenon 2.
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