Orbital complication of balloon sinuplasty

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques

Background:

• Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) affects millions, often managed with medical or surgical interventions.
• Balloon sinuplasty (BS), a conservative approach, aims to improve sinus drainage by dilating obstructed sinus ostia.
• BS has demonstrated a favorable safety profile with low complication rates compared to traditional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a rare case of medial orbital wall fracture resulting from balloon inflation during BS.
• To discuss the potential risks and anatomical considerations associated with balloon sinuplasty.
• To contribute to the literature on the safety and complications of BS.

Main Methods:

• A case report detailing a patient undergoing balloon sinuplasty for chronic rhinosinusitis.
• Description of the surgical procedure, focusing on the balloon inflation phase.
• Documentation of the identified medial orbital wall fracture as a complication.

Main Results:

• A medial orbital wall fracture was identified following balloon inflation during the BS procedure.
• The complication was attributed to the pressure exerted by the inflated balloon.
• This represents a rare, severe complication of an otherwise generally safe procedure.

Conclusions:

• While balloon sinuplasty offers a low complication rate for chronic rhinosinusitis treatment, awareness of potential risks like orbital fractures is crucial.
• Careful technique and anatomical knowledge are essential to minimize the risk of such rare complications.
• Further vigilance and reporting of complications are necessary to fully understand the safety profile of BS.