A case of bilateral silent sinus syndrome presenting with chronic ocular surface disease.
The silent sinus syndrome is characterized by atelectasis of the maxillary sinus in the setting of subclinical maxillary sinusitis and obstruction of the osteomeatal unit. The resultant expansion of orbital volume causes enophthalmos and hypoglobus. A review of the literature reveals only unilateral cases. The authors present a case of bilateral silent sinus syndrome presenting with chronic ocular surface disease. A 56-year-old man was referred for tarsorrhaphy to treat a chronic recurrent corneal ulcer. Exam revealed an area of corneal thinning in the left eye. The patient appeared cachectic and there was enophthalmos, hypoglobus, and lagophthalmos on both sides, left worse than right. Due to the patient's appearance and a history of sinonasal malignancy, recurrent malignancy was suspected. A systemic workup was unrevealing, and radiographic studies showed the features of silent sinus syndrome bilaterally. The patient underwent sinus surgery and placement of a left orbital floor implant.
Division of Oculoplastic Surgery, Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27705, USA. Jason.liss@duke.edu
Jason A
JA
Liss
Ravi D
RD
Patel
S Tonya
ST
Stefko
D002908:Chronic Disease; D015841:Enophthalmos / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D015523:Maxillary Sinusitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed