Spontaneous silent Sinus syndrome (Imploding antrum syndrome)‎ : case series of 11 patients

Abstract EN

Background: Silent sinus syndrome (SSS) is a spontaneous, asymptomatic collapse of the maxillary sinus and orbital floor associated with negative sinus pressure.

It is also known as the imploding antrum syndrome.

It typically presents with a ‘sunken’ eye (enophthalmos), asymmetry of the level of the eyes (hypoglobus) and downward bowing of the orbital floor causing a reduction in the size of the maxillary sinus.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of clinical notes and radiological data of 11 patients with spontaneous SSS were reviewed.

Their endoscopic and radiological findings were studied.

Results and conclusion: Spontaneous SSS is a rare condition characterized by unilateral enophthalmos, hypoglobus with radiological findings of ipsilateral depression of the orbital floor, reduction in volume and opacification of the maxillary sinus.

Pathogenesis of this condition remains unclear.

The fixed sign is the laterally displaced uncinate process which could be detected in all eleven cases, leading to obstruction of the infundibulum.

It may have a direct relation in the development of maxillary sinus atelectasis