[Unilateral voluntary exophthalmos. A peculiar complication of ethmoidal disease]

A few cases have been reported wherein an exophthalmos can be induced voluntarily and spontaneously. In most cases these have been due to the protrusion of the eye by pressure from behind by blood or air. In many of these cases relaxation of the fascial supports and atrophy of the orbital tissue make enophthalmos alternate with the protrusion. A dehiscence of the medial orbital wall or the establishment of emphisema may also produce a voluntary proptosis, the eye being propelled forwards by air when the intranasal pressure is voluntarily raised. We present here two cases of this peculiar complication of ethmoidal disease, discussing several aspects from the etiology and differential diagnosis of this condition.