The silent sinus syndrome

Abstract

The silent sinus syndrome (SSS) involves painless facial asymmetry and enophthalmos, which is theresult of chronic maxillary sinus atelectasis. In most cases, it is diagnosed clinically, however, usingthe characteristic imaging features including maxillary sinus outlet obstruction, sinus opacification,and sinus volume loss caused by inward retraction of the sinus walls. Obstruction of the maxillaryostium appears to play a critical role in the development of SSS. Treatment involves functionalendoscopic surgery.

Key Words:Enophthalmos, hypoplasia, maxillary sinus, syndrome