[Eyelid and lacrimal abscesses].

Nonspecific eyelid abscesses are rare, whereas periorbital infections occur more frequently. Localisation of a maximum number of inflammatory signs is essential for diagnosis. A superior external localisation suggest dacryoadenitis or infection of a dermal cyst and the end of the eyebrow. An internal canthal localisation would reflect lacrimal disorder. In the adult, the main cause of infection is acute dacryocystitis. After antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drug treatment, dacryocystorhinotomy is necessary to preclude recurrence. In the newborn, bilateral forms of dilatation of the lacrimal sacs can lead to respiratory distress. The treatment of choice is resection of the endonasal pouches.