Orbital presentation of ethmoid sinus adenocarcinoma

Ethmoid sinus adenocarcinoma with orbital invasion is distinctly uncommon. This case presented with epiphora, whereas proptosis and decreased ocular motility were later signs. Treatment was delayed for 4 months, while misdiagnoses like dacryocystitis and thyroid eye disease were entertained. Even an incisional biopsy was not sufficient for a conclusive diagnosis and adenomatous differentiation was only present in a small proportion of tissue available after an excisional attempt. The aggressive behaviour including this patient's death of metastatic disease, underlines the importance of considering secondary invasion from a sino-nasal malignancy in uncharacteristic orbital disease.