Silent Sinus Syndrome

Abstract

A 45-year-old male with chronic nasal airway obstruction and post-nasal drip was referred to an otolaryngologist for further management. Prior treatment had included topical intranasal steroid sprays and oral antihistamines. There was no prior allergy testing or sinus surgery. He was otherwise asymptomatic from a sinonasal perspective. Preoperative nasal endoscopy noted bilateral inferior turbinate hypertrophy, mild rightward septal deviation and lateralized right middle turbinate with polypoid edema bilaterally. No ophthalmologic nor ophthalmometry examination was obtained preoperatively. Non-contrast sinus CT showed unilateral opacification of the right maxillary sinus with inferior displacement of the orbital floor, inward bowing of the medial wall of the maxillary sinus and atelectasis of the ethmoid infundibulum (Fig. 6.1).