[Neonatal pathologies of the lacrimal system]

Neonatal obstruction of the distal part of the lachrymal system can lead to dilatation of the lachrymal sac if associated with a canaliculus problem. Clinical presentation is a blue tumor of the internal canthus. This external expansion of the lachrymal sac communicates with a nasal expansion under the inferior nasal turbinate. Even if this typical presentation is spectacular, spontaneous resolution occurs in 80% of cases. There are two main types of progression: an abscess of the lachrymal sac can occur (20%) or bilateral nasal respiratory obstruction in cases of bilateral obstacle because newborns are obligatory nose breathers (<0.1%).