Pneumocele--a rare cause of air in the orbit

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of unilateral proptosis and chronic pansinusitis in which the diagnosis of pneumocele was made.

Design: Observational case report.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was made.

Results: A 52-year-old man with chronic pansinusitis presented with a 5-mm proptosis and a larger palpebral fissure in the left eye. Computed tomography imaging demonstrated an air-filled mass originating from the frontal sinus and protruding into the orbit. After endoscopic sinusotomy and excision of the mucosal sac through anterior orbitotomy, proptosis improved to 3 mm and palpebral fissures became symmetric.

Conclusions: A pneumocele is a rare lesion of the paranasal sinuses that may expand into the orbit and may present with proptosis or motility deficit to the ophthalmologist. Through proper diagnosis and surgical management, the orbital symptoms will resolve.