Sebaceous cell carcinoma is well known as the "great masquerader" mimicking other benign or malignant eyelid conditions and lesions. We present a case of a middle age male presenting with a subacute left upper lid abscess who was ultimately diagnosed with malignant sebaceous cell carcinoma after incision and drainage and treatment with broad spectrum antibiotics. This case highlights the deceptive clinical and radiographic appearance of this tumor and the importance of histologic examination in atypical or refractory periorbital abscesses.
Keywords: Abscess; eyelid neoplasm; sebaceous cell carcinoma.