Table of Contents  
CASE REPORT
Year : 2013  |  Volume : 6  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 194-196  

Silent sinus syndrome


Department of Radio-diagnosis, Padmashree Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital, and Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune, India

Date of Web Publication10-Apr-2013

Correspondence Address:
Yadav W Munde
Department of Radio-Diagnosis, Padmashri Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College and Hospital, Sant Tukaram Nagar, Pimpri, Pune - 411 018, Maharashtra
India
Login to access the Email id

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/0975-2870.110312

Rights and Permissions
  Abstract 

Silent sinus syndrome is a rare clinical condition. In this report, we are presenting a 40-year-old male with chief complain of orbital asymmetry. Visual acuity was 6/6 and was normal. In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of paranasal sinuses, right maxillary sinus volume was decreased but he had no sinonasal or visual symptoms.

Keywords: Enophthalmos, maxillary sinus, silent sinus syndrome


How to cite this article:
Solanki SM, Munde YW, Kulkarni VM, Thind SS. Silent sinus syndrome. Med J DY Patil Univ 2013;6:194-6

How to cite this URL:
Solanki SM, Munde YW, Kulkarni VM, Thind SS. Silent sinus syndrome. Med J DY Patil Univ [serial online] 2013 [cited 2024 Mar 29];6:194-6. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/mjdy/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?2013/6/2/194/110312


  Introduction Top


Silent sinus syndrome (SSS) is a rare condition that can pose a diagnostic challenge. [1] The patient may present with unilateral ptosis or retraction, a deep superior sulcus or orbital asymmetry. The medical history is often non-contributory. This condition is characterized by unilateral spontaneous enophthalmos and hypoglobus due to increased orbital volume and retraction of the orbital floor. [2] This occurs because of atelectasis of the ipsilateral maxillary sinus and when the condition is left untreated, may result in complete obliteration of the sinus with worsening enophthalmos and hypoglobus. [1],[2]

The first two cases were reported in 1964, but the term "SSS" was coined 30 years later by Soparkar et al.[3] Since that time, several case series have been published in both the ophthalmology and otolaryngology literature.

To our knowledge, a number of these case reports in radiology literature are less and many radiologists remain unfamiliar with the syndrome and its characteristic radiological findings. In this article, we discuss the presentation, diagnosis, pathogenesis, and treatment of SSS.


  Case Report Top


We present a case of 40-year-old male who came with complaints of orbital asymmetry since 3 months [Figure 1]. In the ophthalmic exam, nothing was found except moderate enophthalmos of the right globe (Hertel exophthalmometer: right, 10 mm and left, 13 mm). Movements of the globe, visual acuity, slit lamp exam, and fundoscopy were all normal. The patient also had no recent history of sinusitis. Routine laboratory investigations were normal.
Figure 1: Clinical photo of the patients frontal view showing typical facial asymmetry seen in silent sinus syndrome. Right globe is displaced downward (hypoglobus) with associated upper lid retraction and deepening of upper lid sulcus

Click here to view


MRI of the patient was carried out for further evaluation and to rule out underlying mass lesion. The T1- and T2-weighted images [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4] showed downward displacement of the right orbital floor with resulting increase in orbital volume. Right maxillary sinus was seen to be reduced in volume. However, it was completely opacified. There was also noted inward retraction of posterior and medial walls of maxillary sinus which was causing reduction in its volume [Figure 5]. So in view of clinical and imaging findings, diagnosis of SSS was given. Computed tomography (CT) was not performed as MRI was sufficient as a diagnostic tool. Patient did not have any other complaints other than orbital asymmetry, so he refused to undergo functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) or other therapeutic procedures.
Figure 2: Axial T2-weighted images MRI image showing fluid level in right maxillary sinus with reduction in its volume

Click here to view
Figure 3: Sagittal T2-weighted images MRI image shows reduction in volume of right maxillary sinus with inward retraction of its walls

Click here to view
Figure 4: Coronal fluid attennuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) image showing reduction in volume of right maxillary sinus with inward retraction of its walls

Click here to view
Figure 5: T1-weighted fat-saturated post-contrast MR image obtained in coronal plane displays inward retraction of posterior and medial walls of right maxillary sinus. There is also downward retraction of orbital floor into sinus lumen

Click here to view



  Discussion Top


The term SSS was first described in 1994 by Soparkar et al. [3] He used it to describe painless enophthalmos associated with chronic maxillary sinus atelectasis. In 1964, Montgomery [4] also discussed similar clinical features.

Usual presenting symptoms include spontaneous, progressive, unilateral enophthalmos (posterior displacement of the eyeball). [5] The patient presents to the ophthalmologist complaining about orbital asymmetry. Occasional complains of nose and sinuses symptoms can also be present. [6] CT/MRI scan of the orbit and sinuses is diagnostic in most of the cases.

Before the management or imaging of SSS, one requires an understanding of the underlying pathophysiology. The most widely accepted theory is that an inciting event causes occlusion of the ostiomeatal complex through which the maxillary sinus drains into the middle meatus of the nasal antrum. This occlusion results in an accumulation of secretions that eventually are resorbed, causing a vacuum effect. The chronic sub-atmospheric pressure and hypoventilation of the sinus result in negative pressure, leading the sinus walls to migrate inward. [4] In addition to the orbital floor being pulled downward, there may be bone remodeling and thinning due to increased osteoclast activity. Typically, the periosteum is not affected. [7],[8],[9]

Along with this, Vander Meer et al. [5] suggested some other possible etiological factors such as lateralized/hypermobile medial infundibular wall or lateralized middle turbinate, antral or ostium occlusion by a mucocele or nasal polyp, hypoplastic maxillary sinus which presents a narrow ostium with tendency of occlusion and narrow maxillary ostium due to the presence of infraorbital ethmoid Haller cells.

For imaging of the SSS, CT scan or MRI can be used. MRI imaging findings are typical which are fully formed, fully opacified maxillary sinus with reduction volume and inward bowing of all four walls. It is seen as inferior bowing of the roof (orbital floor), lateral bowing of the medial wall, posterior bowing of the anterior wall, and anteromedial bowing of the posterolateral wall. There are superior and lateral displacements of the uncinate process. The adjacent middle meatus is correspondingly enlarged with varying degrees of lateral retraction of the middle turbinate. On MRI, additional findings can also be seen like thickening and enhancement of the mucosa with variable intensity secretions. [9],[10],[11],[12]

Plain radiographs are not useful in diagnosis. CT scan is performed as a volumetric acquisition with three-plane orthogonal reformats, which is able to demonstrate changes in the sinus and the adjacent structures. CT findings are also same as MRI. [10]

Treatment of SSS is FESS with an approach performing uncinectomy and enlargement of the maxillary ostium. It causes improvement in maxillary sinus aerations and also to a degree of enophthalmos. [1],[13] Orbital floor reconstruction can be done concurrently. Orbital floor reconstruction alone is not adequate and will not prevent recurrent enophthalmos in SSS. [14] In recent study, non-surgical management such as use of hyaluronic acid gel can cause reduction in degree of enophthalmos. [15]

 
  References Top

1.Sánchez-Dalmau BF, Pascual L, Lao X, Maiz J. Sinus syndrome, an uncommon cause of enophthalmos. Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol 2008;83:125-8.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.Arikan OK, Onaran Z, Muluk NB, Yilmazbaº P, Yazici I. Enophthalmos due to atelectasis of the maxillary sinus: Silent sinus syndrome. J Craniofac Surg 2009;20:2156-9.  Back to cited text no. 2
    
3.Soparkar CN, Patrinely JR, Cuaycong MJ, Dailey RA, Kersten RC, Rubin PA, et al. The silent sinus syndrome. A cause of spontaneous enophthalmos. Ophthalmology 1994;101:772-8.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4.Montgomery WW. Mucocele of the maxillary sinus causing enophthalmos. Eye Ear Nose Throat Mon 1964;43:41-4.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.Vander Meer JB, Harris G, Toohill RJ, Smith TL. The silent sinus syndrome: A case series and literature review. Laryngoscope 2001;111:975-8.  Back to cited text no. 5
    
6.Hobbs CG, Saunders MW, Potts MJ. Spontaneous enophthalmos: Silent sinus syndrome. J Laryngol Otol 2004;118:310-2.  Back to cited text no. 6
    
7.Rose GE, Sandy C, Hallberg L, Moseley I. Clinical and radiologic characteristics of the imploding antrum, or "silent sinus," syndrome. Ophthalmology 2003;110:811-8.  Back to cited text no. 7
    
8.Blackwell KE, Goldberg RA, Calcaterra TC. Atelectasis of the maxillary sinus with enophthalmos and midface depression. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1993;102:429-32.  Back to cited text no. 8
    
9.Gillman GS, Schaitkin BM, May M. Asymptomatic enophthalmos: The silent sinus syndrome. Am J Rhinol 1999;13:459-62.  Back to cited text no. 9
    
10.Illner A, Davidson HC, Harnsberger HR, Hoffman J. The silent sinus syndrome: Clinical and radiographic findings. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2002;178:503-6.  Back to cited text no. 10
    
11.Kass ES, Salman S, Rubin PA, Weber AL, Montgomery WW. Chronic maxillary atelectasis. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1997;106:109-16.  Back to cited text no. 11
    
12.Boyd JH, Yaffee K, Holds J. Maxillary sinus atelectasis with enophthalmos. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1998;107:34-9.  Back to cited text no. 12
    
13.Sciarretta V, Pasquini E, Tesei F, Modugno GC, Farneti G. Endoscopic sinus surgery for the treatment of maxillary sinus atelectasis and silent sinus syndrome. J Otolaryngol 2006;35:60-4.  Back to cited text no. 13
    
14.Babar-Craig H, Kayhanian H, De Silva DJ, Rose GE, Lund VJ. Spontaneous silent sinus syndrome (imploding antrum syndrome): Case series of 16 patients. Rhinology 2011;49:315-7.  Back to cited text no. 14
    
15.Mavrikakis I, Detorakis ET, Yiotakis I, Kandiloros D. Nonsurgical management of silent sinus syndrome with hyaluronic acid gel. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 2012;28:e6-7.  Back to cited text no. 15
    


    Figures

  [Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4], [Figure 5]



 

Top
   
 
  Search
 
    Similar in PUBMED
   Search Pubmed for
   Search in Google Scholar for
 Related articles
    Access Statistics
    Email Alert *
    Add to My List *
* Registration required (free)  

 
  In this article
Abstract
Introduction
Case Report
Discussion
References
Article Figures

 Article Access Statistics
    Viewed5694    
    Printed117    
    Emailed0    
    PDF Downloaded276    
    Comments [Add]    

Recommend this journal