Abstracts
Silent sinus syndrome is an acquired condition in which there is a gradual collapse of the orbital floor and inward retraction of the maxillary sinus (atelectasis of the maxillary sinus). This in turn may cause associated ocular occurrences of enophthalmos and hypotropia. This is a report of an 8 year-old boy with silent sinus syndrome and associated ocular motility disorders. The association between silent sinus syndrome and ocular motility disturbance has been recently described in the literature. However, this is an infrequent association, mainly in childhood.
Paranasal sinus diseases; Maxillary sinus; Orbit; Strabismus; Case reports
A síndrome do seio silencioso é uma afecção adquirida em que há colapso gradual do assoalho orbital e do seio maxilar (atelectasia do seio maxilar), o que pode acarretar alterações orbitárias e oculares associadas, como enoftalmia e hipotropia. Relatamos o caso de um paciente de 8 anos de idade com síndrome do seio silencioso e distúrbios da motilidade ocular. A associação entre a síndrome do seio silencioso e alterações da motilidade ocular extrínseca tem sido descrita na literatura. No entanto, esta é uma associação pouco frequente, principalmente na infância.
Doenças dos seios paranasais; Seio maxilar; Órbita; Estrabismo; Relatos de casos
Introduction
The silent sinus syndrome (SSS) is a rare disorder, first described by Montgomery(11. Montgomery WW. Mucocele of the maxillary sinus causing enophthalmos. Eye Ear Nose Throat Mon. 1964;43:41-4.) in 1964 and named by Soparkar et al.(22. Soparkar CN, Patrinely JR, Cuaycong MJ, Dailey RA, Kersten RC, Rubin PA, et al. The silent sinus syndrome. A cause of spontaneous enophthalmos. Ophthalmology. 1994;101(4):772-8. Comment in: Langer PD, Patel BC, Anderson RL. Silent sinus syndrome. Ophthalmology. 1994;101(11):1763-4.) in 1994, characterized more often by enophthalmos and hypotropia and increased ipsilateral orbital volume secondary to maxillary sinus atelectasis.
The typical syndrome occurs between the third and fifth decades of life33. Kass ES, Salman S, Rubin PA, Weber AL, Montgomery WW. Chronic
maxillary atelectasis. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1997;106(2):109-16., with equal distribution between
genders(33. Kass ES, Salman S, Rubin PA, Weber AL, Montgomery WW. Chronic
maxillary atelectasis. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1997;106(2):109-16.,44. Boyd JH, Yafee K, Holds J. Maxillary sinus atelectasis with
enophthalmos. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1998;107(1):34-9.) and unilateral symptoms, most commonly
reported as enophthalmos of the ipsilateral eye, proptosis of the contralateral eye or
changing of facial appearance(11. Montgomery WW. Mucocele of the maxillary sinus causing enophthalmos.
Eye Ear Nose Throat Mon. 1964;43:41-4.,55. Gillman GS, Schaitkin BM, May M. Asymptomatic enophthalmos: the
silent sinus syndrome. Am J Rhinol. 1999;13(6):459-62.
6. Garber PF, Abramson AL, Stallman PT, Wasserman PG. Globe ptosis
secondary to maxillary sinus mucocele. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg.
1995;11(4):254-60.-77. Wan MK, Francis IC, Carter PR, Griffits R, van Rooijen ML, Coroneo
MT. The spectrum of presentation of silent sinus syndrome. J Neuroophthalmol.
2000;20(3):207-12.). Orbital asymmetry, palpebral
retraction(16. Garber PF, Abramson AL, Stallman PT, Wasserman PG. Globe ptosis
secondary to maxillary sinus mucocele. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg.
1995;11(4):254-60.,66. Garber PF, Abramson AL, Stallman PT, Wasserman PG. Globe ptosis
secondary to maxillary sinus mucocele. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg.
1995;11(4):254-60.,77. Wan MK, Francis IC, Carter PR, Griffits R, van Rooijen ML, Coroneo
MT. The spectrum of presentation of silent sinus syndrome. J Neuroophthalmol.
2000;20(3):207-12.) and deepening of the superior eyelid sulcus(55. Gillman GS, Schaitkin BM, May M. Asymptomatic enophthalmos: the
silent sinus syndrome. Am J Rhinol. 1999;13(6):459-62.) are more specific symptoms. The ocular
motility is frequently preserved(88. Buono LM. The silent sinus syndrome: maxillary sinus atelectasis with
enophthalmos and hypoglobus. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2004;15(6):486-9.
9. Zambarakji HJ, Rose GE. An unusual case of oscillopsia. Br J
Ophthalmol. 2001;85(11):1388.-1010. Rose GE, Sandy C, Hallberg L, Moseley I. Clinical and radiologic
characteristics of the imploding antrum, or "silent sinus," syndrome. Ophthalmology.
2003;110(4):811-8. Erratum in Ophthalmology. 2003;110(8):1475.), although
there are recent articles relating diplopia(1111. Stevens K, Omer S, Toocaram B, Rich P, Almemar A. The imploding
antrum syndrome: an unusual cause of double vision. Pract Neurol.
2010;10(2):101-4.,1212. Zhang C, Phamonvaechavan P, Christoff A, Guyton DL. Silent sinus
syndrome causing cyclovertical diplopia masquerading as superior oblique paresis in
the fellow eye. J AAPOS. 2010;14(5):450-2.), even in
children(1313. Yip CC, McCulley TJ, Kersten RC, Tami TA, Kulwin DR. Silent sinus
syndrome as a cause of diplopia in a child. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus.
2003;40(5):309-11.).
The most obvious radiological signs are clouding of the maxillary sinus(1010. Rose GE, Sandy C, Hallberg L, Moseley I. Clinical and radiologic characteristics of the imploding antrum, or "silent sinus," syndrome. Ophthalmology. 2003;110(4):811-8. Erratum in Ophthalmology. 2003;110(8):1475.), loss of the maxillary sinus roof convexity and uprising and thinning of the orbital floor(88. Buono LM. The silent sinus syndrome: maxillary sinus atelectasis with enophthalmos and hypoglobus. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2004;15(6):486-9.,1010. Rose GE, Sandy C, Hallberg L, Moseley I. Clinical and radiologic characteristics of the imploding antrum, or "silent sinus," syndrome. Ophthalmology. 2003;110(4):811-8. Erratum in Ophthalmology. 2003;110(8):1475.), nasal septum deviation at the affected side(22. Soparkar CN, Patrinely JR, Cuaycong MJ, Dailey RA, Kersten RC, Rubin PA, et al. The silent sinus syndrome. A cause of spontaneous enophthalmos. Ophthalmology. 1994;101(4):772-8. Comment in: Langer PD, Patel BC, Anderson RL. Silent sinus syndrome. Ophthalmology. 1994;101(11):1763-4.,1010. Rose GE, Sandy C, Hallberg L, Moseley I. Clinical and radiologic characteristics of the imploding antrum, or "silent sinus," syndrome. Ophthalmology. 2003;110(4):811-8. Erratum in Ophthalmology. 2003;110(8):1475.) and lateralization of the ipsilateral middle turbinate(55. Gillman GS, Schaitkin BM, May M. Asymptomatic enophthalmos: the silent sinus syndrome. Am J Rhinol. 1999;13(6):459-62.,1010. Rose GE, Sandy C, Hallberg L, Moseley I. Clinical and radiologic characteristics of the imploding antrum, or "silent sinus," syndrome. Ophthalmology. 2003;110(4):811-8. Erratum in Ophthalmology. 2003;110(8):1475.). Increased orbital volume and atelectasis of the maxillary sinus are required findings for the diagnosis(88. Buono LM. The silent sinus syndrome: maxillary sinus atelectasis with enophthalmos and hypoglobus. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2004;15(6):486-9.). The classical treatment aims to restore normal sinus aeration and to correct enophthalmos and hypotropia with an orbital implant(44. Boyd JH, Yafee K, Holds J. Maxillary sinus atelectasis with enophthalmos. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1998;107(1):34-9.). The disease progression is interrupted with sinus aeration(1010. Rose GE, Sandy C, Hallberg L, Moseley I. Clinical and radiologic characteristics of the imploding antrum, or "silent sinus," syndrome. Ophthalmology. 2003;110(4):811-8. Erratum in Ophthalmology. 2003;110(8):1475.).
Report of case
The case of an 8 year-old boy with exotropia and amblyopia of the left eye since birth. Treatment was patching for 2 years, which was discontinued 3 years ago, when he was started on glasses. There is also no history of trauma or surgery.
The ophthalmological exam revealed a visual acuity OD 1,0 and OS 0,2 (LH Symbols; Snellen equivalent OD 20/20 and OS 20/100), under cycloplegic refraction of +1.25 -1.50 x 180 and +3.00 -2.00 x 160, respectively; far and near left exotropia and torticollis (tilts and rotates the head to the left) with an angle of turn of 15 degrees. There was a Hertel enophthalmos of 4 mm.
The Krimsky test showed an incomitance: at distance, right eye fixating exotropia of 35 prism diopters and left hypotropia of 4 prism diopters; with left eye fixating, an exotropia of 50 prism diopters and left hypotropia of 6 prism diopters. At near distance, right eye fixating exotropia of 30 prism diopters and left hypotropia of 6 prism diopters; with left eye fixating, an exotropia of 50 prism diopters and left hypotropia of 6 prism diopters.
All the left extraocular muscles had a marked underaction, except for the lateral rectus muscle. It seems an adduction deficit (Figure 1), that is not present in ductions (Figure 2). These findings would be secondary to a large exotropia. The upper eyelid did not follow the left eye when it moved in a downward position. There was also a manifest constant pendular nystagmus, low amplitude and frequency, no null point, observed in all gaze positions, with upper eyelid fasciculation. In an attempt to open the eyes, they converged.
There was anisocoria of 2 mm, left pupil greater. This condition was absent in the dark. Unfortunately, we do not have measurements in both bright and dim illumination. The left eye was amblyopic. A orbital MRI scan showed an anomalous left maxillary sinus featuring small size, associated with elevation of its floor and lowering of orbital floor, and hyperintense T2 filling content. A slight deviation was also noted of the nasal septum to the affected side, and lateralization of the uncinate process and left middle turbinate (figures 3 and 4). A coronal section of the MRI showed inferior displacement of extra-ocular muscles positioning, mainly the inferior rectus (figure 5).
T2 image showing the maxillary sinus of reduced size, with elevation of its floor and lowering the orbit floor. It is also observed the ipsilateral middle turbinate laterally displaced
Increased ipsilateral middle meatus due to the lateralization of the uncinate process in T1 image
The patient was treated with glasses and referred to Otorrhinolaringology Department for endoscopic maxillary antrostomy. After 12 months of former evaluation, visual acuity and ocular motility were unchanged.
Discussion
The exact pathogenetic mechanism leading to SSS is not clear(1414. Hourany R, Aygun N, Della Santina CC, Zinreich SJ. Silent sinus syndrome: an acquired condition. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2005;26(9):2390-2.). Initially, the hypothesis that chronic obstructive sinusitis coexisted with a primary condition of sinus hypoplasia was formulated; however, several authors demonstrated the absolute normality of the maxillary sinus walls before clinical and radiological findings of SSS(1414. Hourany R, Aygun N, Della Santina CC, Zinreich SJ. Silent sinus syndrome: an acquired condition. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2005;26(9):2390-2.,1515. Gaudino S, Di Lella GM, Piludu F, Martucci M, Schiarelli C, Africa E, et al. CT and MRI diagnosis of silent sinus syndrome. Radiol Med. 2012 May 14. [Epub ahead of print].) which confirms that it is an acquired condition. Studies identified infundibular obstruction as a probable pathogenetic event, leading to sinus hypoventilation and development of negative pressure. Persistence of negative pressure seems to produce slow maxillary sinus atelectasis. Furthermore, progressive osteomalacia(1414. Hourany R, Aygun N, Della Santina CC, Zinreich SJ. Silent sinus syndrome: an acquired condition. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2005;26(9):2390-2.) or probably reduced osteoblastic activity(1515. Gaudino S, Di Lella GM, Piludu F, Martucci M, Schiarelli C, Africa E, et al. CT and MRI diagnosis of silent sinus syndrome. Radiol Med. 2012 May 14. [Epub ahead of print].) is thought to contribute to inward bowing of the sinus bone and to orbital floor osteomalacia.
This case presents some unfrequent features associated with silent sinus syndrome. The
occurrence of symptoms in this age group is unusual. Although diplopia and gaze
restriction are seen in some cases, its presentation is unusual, mainly in this age
range. The motility issues is due to a mechanical restriction, as showed by MRI scan and
related in previous studies(1111. Stevens K, Omer S, Toocaram B, Rich P, Almemar A. The imploding
antrum syndrome: an unusual cause of double vision. Pract Neurol.
2010;10(2):101-4.
12. Zhang C, Phamonvaechavan P, Christoff A, Guyton DL. Silent sinus
syndrome causing cyclovertical diplopia masquerading as superior oblique paresis in
the fellow eye. J AAPOS. 2010;14(5):450-2.-1313. Yip CC, McCulley TJ, Kersten RC, Tami TA, Kulwin DR. Silent sinus
syndrome as a cause of diplopia in a child. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus.
2003;40(5):309-11.). The most
common findings suggest, with hypotropia and enophthalmos, as well as the characteristic
radiological criteria, the diagnosis of framework compatible with silent sinus syndrome,
however, with unusual epidemiological and clinical characteristics. The treatment of SSS
typically consists in functional endoscopic surgery to remove the obstruction and
restore positive pressure. Orbital floor lifting and reconstruction may be performed
during the same session or at a later date(1616. Michielsens A, Herzeel R, Gordts F. [Acquired enophthalmos
associated with hypoplasia of the maxillary sinus and asymptomatic chronic maxillary
sinusitis]. J Fr Ophtalmol. 1999;22(4):451-5. French.). Surgical intervention is useful to interrupt progression of
maxillary and orbital changes and to correct enophthalmos or facial deformity, although
it does not seem to produce a significant restoration of orbital muscle function and,
consequently, of diplopia(1515. Gaudino S, Di Lella GM, Piludu F, Martucci M, Schiarelli C, Africa
E, et al. CT and MRI diagnosis of silent sinus syndrome. Radiol Med. 2012 May 14.
[Epub ahead of print].,1717. Bossolesi P, Autelitano L, Brusati R, Castelnuovo P. The silent
sinus syndrome: diagnosis and surgical treatment. Rhinology.
2008;46(4):308-16.).
-
Study carried out at Strabismus Sector, Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology Department, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo - USP - São Paulo (SP), Brazil.
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1Montgomery WW. Mucocele of the maxillary sinus causing enophthalmos. Eye Ear Nose Throat Mon. 1964;43:41-4.
-
2Soparkar CN, Patrinely JR, Cuaycong MJ, Dailey RA, Kersten RC, Rubin PA, et al. The silent sinus syndrome. A cause of spontaneous enophthalmos. Ophthalmology. 1994;101(4):772-8. Comment in: Langer PD, Patel BC, Anderson RL. Silent sinus syndrome. Ophthalmology. 1994;101(11):1763-4
-
3Kass ES, Salman S, Rubin PA, Weber AL, Montgomery WW. Chronic maxillary atelectasis. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1997;106(2):109-16.
-
4Boyd JH, Yafee K, Holds J. Maxillary sinus atelectasis with enophthalmos. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1998;107(1):34-9.
-
5Gillman GS, Schaitkin BM, May M. Asymptomatic enophthalmos: the silent sinus syndrome. Am J Rhinol. 1999;13(6):459-62.
-
6Garber PF, Abramson AL, Stallman PT, Wasserman PG. Globe ptosis secondary to maxillary sinus mucocele. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 1995;11(4):254-60.
-
7Wan MK, Francis IC, Carter PR, Griffits R, van Rooijen ML, Coroneo MT. The spectrum of presentation of silent sinus syndrome. J Neuroophthalmol. 2000;20(3):207-12.
-
8Buono LM. The silent sinus syndrome: maxillary sinus atelectasis with enophthalmos and hypoglobus. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2004;15(6):486-9.
-
9Zambarakji HJ, Rose GE. An unusual case of oscillopsia. Br J Ophthalmol. 2001;85(11):1388.
-
10Rose GE, Sandy C, Hallberg L, Moseley I. Clinical and radiologic characteristics of the imploding antrum, or "silent sinus," syndrome. Ophthalmology. 2003;110(4):811-8. Erratum in Ophthalmology. 2003;110(8):1475.
-
11Stevens K, Omer S, Toocaram B, Rich P, Almemar A. The imploding antrum syndrome: an unusual cause of double vision. Pract Neurol. 2010;10(2):101-4.
-
12Zhang C, Phamonvaechavan P, Christoff A, Guyton DL. Silent sinus syndrome causing cyclovertical diplopia masquerading as superior oblique paresis in the fellow eye. J AAPOS. 2010;14(5):450-2.
-
13Yip CC, McCulley TJ, Kersten RC, Tami TA, Kulwin DR. Silent sinus syndrome as a cause of diplopia in a child. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2003;40(5):309-11.
-
14Hourany R, Aygun N, Della Santina CC, Zinreich SJ. Silent sinus syndrome: an acquired condition. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2005;26(9):2390-2.
-
15Gaudino S, Di Lella GM, Piludu F, Martucci M, Schiarelli C, Africa E, et al. CT and MRI diagnosis of silent sinus syndrome. Radiol Med. 2012 May 14. [Epub ahead of print].
-
16Michielsens A, Herzeel R, Gordts F. [Acquired enophthalmos associated with hypoplasia of the maxillary sinus and asymptomatic chronic maxillary sinusitis]. J Fr Ophtalmol. 1999;22(4):451-5. French.
-
17Bossolesi P, Autelitano L, Brusati R, Castelnuovo P. The silent sinus syndrome: diagnosis and surgical treatment. Rhinology. 2008;46(4):308-16.
Publication Dates
-
Publication in this collection
Jan-Feb 2014
History
-
Received
23 May 2012 -
Accepted
26 Sept 2012