Spontaneous enophthalmos: silent sinus syndrome

• Published in: Journal of laryngology and otology Vol. 118; no. 4; pp. 310 - 312
• Main Authors: Hobbs, C. G. L., Saunders, M. W., Potts, M. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.04.2004
• Subjects: (RF) Otorhinolaryngology; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Enophthalmos; Enophthalmos - diagnostic imaging; Enophthalmos - etiology; Female; Humans; Intubation, Gastrointestinal - adverse effects; Maxillary Sinus - diagnostic imaging; Maxillary Sinusitis; Medical sciences; Nasal Cavity; Ophthalmology; Orbit diseases; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Paranasal Sinus Diseases - complications; Paranasal Sinus Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Syndrome; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Enophthalmos; Maxillary Sinusitis; Eye disease; Enophthalmus; Iatrogenic; Tube; Spontaneous; Nasogastric; Insertion; Orbit(eye) disease; Complication; ENT
• ISSN: 0022-2151; 1748-5460
• DOI: 10.1258/002221504323012102

Spontaneous enophthalmos unrelated to trauma or surgery is rare. The term ‘silent sinus syndrome’ has been used to describe this process where, in particular,there is an absence of any sino-nasal symptoms. The enophthalmos and hypoglobus that occurs inthese subjects is caused by atelectasis of the maxillary antrum, which itself appears to be due to chronic maxillary hypoventilation. We report a case of silent sinus syndrome that arose following insertion of a nasogastric tube. Whilst acute paranasal sinusitis is a well-described sequela of nasal intubation, this association with a rare, and as yet unexplained, phenomenon may go some way to explain its aetiology.