Silent sinus syndrome with spontaneous orbital floor reconstruction

Abstract

Problem: Silent sinus syndrome is rare and its pathophysiology is unclear. We report a case of silent sinus syndrome characterized by progressive enophtalmos with chronic maxillary atelectasis and asymptomatic chronic maxillary sinusitis.

Methodology: The patient had no history of sinusitis, facial trauma, or sinus surgery. Computed tomography revealed opacification of the right maxillary sinus and inferior bowing of the osteopenic orbital floor. Silent sinus syndrome was diagnosed and functional endoscopic maxillary antrostomy without orbital floor reconstruction was performed.

Results: At one-year follow-up, computed tomography showed optimal ventilation of the maxillary sinus, restoration of the orbital floor, and withdrawal of the orbital content to its normal position.

Conclusion: Endoscopic maxillary antrostomy without orbital floor reconstruction is effective and associated with limited risks for complications; however, the results are observed in the long term.