A review on silent sinus syndrome

Abstract

Silent sinus syndrome (SSS) is a rare condition that causes facial asymmetry, unilateral painless enophthalmos, orbital floor collapse, and diplopia, which represent the chronic maxillary sinus atelectasis with chronic negative pressure within the sinus. SSS is also known as imploding antrum. Some believe that congenital development of the maxillary sinus may also be responsible for the development of SSS. Its characteristic imaging features are maxillary sinus outlet obstruction, sinus opacification, and volume loss caused by inward retraction of the sinus wall. Ostium obstruction appears to play a critical role in the development of SSS. Treatment involves reconstructive procedure of orbital floor and functional endoscopic sinus surgery.