Silent sinus syndrome: a case presentation and comprehensive review of all 84 reported cases.
OBJECTIVE
The term silent sinus syndrome has been used to describe the constellation of progressive enophthalmos and hypoglobus due to gradual collapse of the orbital floor with opacification of the maxillary sinus, in the presence of subclinical chronic maxillary sinusitis. Currently, it is believed to occur as a result of the sequence of events following maxillary sinus hypoventilation due to the obstruction of the ostiomeatal complex.


METHODS
In this study, we present a case of true silent sinus syndrome. In addition, we highlight the previously published cases of silent sinus syndrome, as well as provide a review of the etiology, pathophysiology, radiologic diagnosis, surgical treatment, and pitfalls to avoid in the management of patients with silent sinus syndrome.


RESULTS
Eighty-three previously published cases of silent sinus syndrome were reported in the literature and are summarized in this review.


CONCLUSIONS
A well-defined set of criteria is needed to classify a patient under the diagnosis of silent sinus syndrome, which include enophthalmos and/or hypoglobus in the absence of clinically evident sinonasal inflammatory disease.
Numa
William A
WA
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tufts University School of Medicine, New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA.
Desai
Urmen
U
Gold
Daniel R
DR
Heher
Katrinka L
KL
Annino
Donald J
DJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004172:Diplopia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015841:Enophthalmos / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D015523:Maxillary Sinusitis / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009915:Orbit / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013577:Syndrome; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome