[OPHTHALMIC MANIFESTATIONS OF SILENT SINUS SYNDROME]

To describe 7 case reports of "silent sinus syndrome" (SSS) cases and review the literature on this topic.

A retrospective review of 7 consecutive cases of SSS seen by the authors from 2005 to 2017. Data collected included patient demographics, clinical presentation, imaging findings, surgery performed, outcome and follow up.

Seven patients were identified presenting with SSS, two of them following trauma, and the rest with no relevant history. All cases developed progressive enophthalmos and hypoglobus, but only 3 developed vertical diplopia symptoms. Three patients underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery, and one patient also underwent orbital floor support surgery.

Silent sinus syndrome is a slow, progressive, unilateral disorder, with changes occurring over the years. Most patients present with with enophthalmos and hypoglobus due to subclinical disease of the maxillary sinus and no obvious preceding sinus symptoms. The mechanism is presumed to be the obstruction of the natural ostium of the maxillary sinus, accumulation of secretions and the development of negative pressure within the sinus leading to its collapse.