Silent sinus syndrome

Abstract

Silent sinus syndrome (SSS) is similar to and a subset of chronic maxillary atelectasis (CMA), which refers to a persistent decrease in sinus maxillary volume due to inward retraction of the maxillary sinus walls secondary to obstruction of the osteomeatal complex. It differs from CMA, however, in that there is no pain or maxillary sinus congestion. Patients with SSS usually manifest spontaneous unilateral enophthalmos and hypoglobus, with no history of facial trauma or surgery. They also do not have any nasal symptoms, sinusitis, or pain. A 28-year-old woman with asymptomatic enophthalmos and hypoglobus is described. The presentaton, diagnosis, and treatment of silent sinus syndrome are discussed. Silent sinus syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis of enophthalmos and hypoglobus in the absence of trauma, surgery, and nasal symptoms. In addition to a thorough eye examination, axial and coronal computerized tomography of the sinus and orbits should be obtained to confirm the diagnosis.