Silent sinus syndrome is a spontaneous, asymptomatic collapse of the maxillary sinus and orbital floor associated with negative sinus pressures. It can cause painless facial asymmetry , diplopia and enophthalmos. Usually the diagnosis is suspected clinically, and it can be confirmed radiologically by characteristic imaging features that include maxillary sinus outlet obstruction, sinus opacification, and sinus volume loss caused by inward retraction of the sinus walls. Treatment is surgical involving making an outlet for mucous drainage from the obstructed sinus.
References
- Illner A, Davidson HC, Harnsberger HR, Hoffman J (2002). "The silent sinus syndrome: clinical and radiographic findings". AJR Am J Roentgenol 178 (2): 503-6. PMID 11804926. Full text
- Numa WA, Desai U, Gold DR, Heher KL, Annino DJ (2005). "Silent sinus syndrome: a case presentation and comprehensive review of all 84 reported cases". Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 114 (9): 688-94. PMID 16240931.
