[Cysts of the lacrimal tracts in the newborn infant].

At birth, a thin membrane often remains at the distal end of the nasolacrimal duct in the inferior meatus. The rupture is spontaneous during the first month of life. Sometimes this impatency can lead to a symptomatology usually limited to an uni or bilateral dacryocystitis. Exceptionally a cyst can develop in the nasolacrimal passageways. The authors describe three cases of intranasal occurrences, two of which brought about an obstructive dyspnea. Twelve cases have been described in the literature. This affliction predominantly occurs in young girls. Whenever the nasal obstruction is isolated, it is important to eliminate any other cause of intranasal tumor, especially an encephalocele, before any surgical intervention. Computerized tomographic scan is indispensable in order to eliminate any connection with the intracranial space. Magnetic resonance imaging appears promising. For the authors, the treatment must be surgical and must be kept simple. It consists in a cyst excision.