Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026
09:30
Precision Induction and Distinction of Coughing and Sneezing Reflexes in Mice
Published on: October 3, 2025
Unilateral orbital emphysema after sneezing
Nilüfer Koçak1, Taylan Oztürk, Mehmet Ozgür Zengin
1Ophthalmology Department, Dokuz Eylul University, School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey. nkocak@yahoo.com
Annals of Ophthalmology (Skokie, Ill.)
|March 11, 2010
Summary
A 30-year-old man developed unilateral orbital emphysema after sneezing, presenting with eyelid swelling and ptosis. This condition can occur after minor facial trauma, with observation or needle decompression being viable treatment options.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Otorhinolaryngology
Background:
- Orbital emphysema is a rare condition characterized by the presence of air in the orbital tissues.
- It is typically associated with facial trauma, particularly involving the paranasal sinuses.
Observation:
- A 30-year-old male presented with unilateral crepitant eyelid swelling and progressive ptosis.
- The symptoms developed subsequent to a forceful sneezing episode.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with unilateral orbital emphysema.
- A history of minor periorbital trauma was noted as a potential contributing factor.
Implications:
- Sneezing can precipitate orbital emphysema in susceptible individuals, especially those with prior minor facial trauma.
- Management options include conservative follow-up or early intervention with needle decompression for rapid symptom relief.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema
Emphysema, a major phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is characterized by irreversible destruction of alveolar walls and permanent enlargement of distal airspaces. Unlike chronic bronchitis, which primarily affects the airways, emphysema predominantly involves the lung parenchyma, where structural damage leads to airflow limitation.PathophysiologyIt most commonly results from prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke and other toxic gases, particularly cigarette smoke.
01:24Nose and Nasal Cavity
The nose is composed of an observable exterior segment (external nose) and an internal segment within the skull known as the nasal cavity (internal nose). The external nose, visible on the face, consists of a framework of bone and hyaline cartilage enveloped in skin and muscle and lined with a mucous membrane. This structure is supported by the frontal bone, nasal bones, and maxillary bone and is supplemented by a cartilaginous framework comprising the septal nasal cartilage, lateral nasal...
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features
Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...
01:17Accessory Structures of the Eye
Optical perception, or vision, is an extraordinary sense dependent on converting light signals received via the ocular organs. These organs, known as eyes, are securely positioned within the bony cavities of the skull, called orbits. The orbits serve a dual purpose: a protective shield for the ocular globes and a stable attachment point for the soft ocular tissues. The eye's external protective mechanisms include the eyelids, which are edged with lashes that act as a barrier against foreign...
01:30Epistaxis
Epistaxis, or nosebleeds, occurs when small, swollen blood vessels in the nasal mucous membrane rupture. Typically, the anterior septum is the primary site of occurrence.
Etiology
Possible causes of this condition include high blood pressure, trauma, low humidity, upper respiratory tract infections, allergies, foreign bodies, nasal inhalation of corticosteroids or illicit drugs, excessive use of decongestant nasal sprays, facial or nasal surgery, anatomic malformation, tumors, or systemic...
Etiology
Possible causes of this condition include high blood pressure, trauma, low humidity, upper respiratory tract infections, allergies, foreign bodies, nasal inhalation of corticosteroids or illicit drugs, excessive use of decongestant nasal sprays, facial or nasal surgery, anatomic malformation, tumors, or systemic...
01:13Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations
Asthma presents with a characteristic pattern of episodic respiratory symptoms that reflect underlying airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. Although severity varies among individuals, certain clinical manifestations are considered hallmarks of the disorder and often guide diagnosis and assessment.Respiratory SymptomsA persistent cough is one of the most common early features of asthma. It is frequently dry and tends to worsen at night or in the early morning,...