Imaging Sci Dent.  2020 Dec;50(4):365-371. 10.5624/isd.2020.50.4.365.

Cone-beam computed tomographic imaging of silent sinus syndrome: A case series and a literature review

• Manila NG
• Arashlow MT
• Ehlers S
• Liang H
• Nair MK

• KMID: 2527024
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2020.50.4.365

Abstract

While silent sinus syndrome (SSS) is familiar to otolaryngologists and ophthalmologists, it is a rare clinical entity in dentistry and is likely to be underdiagnosed due to dentists’ lack of awareness of this condition. SSS presents a diagnostic challenge to dentists, as patients typically have no history of trauma or sinusitis. The characteristic feature of SSS is a gradual retreat of the maxillary sinus walls, resulting in enophthalmos and hypoglobus. Multidetector (multislice) computed tomography is the imaging modality of choice for SSS and other paranasal sinus diseases. Conebeam computed tomography promises to be an alternative low-dose imaging modality. This report describes 3 cases of SSS in adults, who had no identified clinical symptoms except diminutive and opacified maxillary sinuses, as well as the inward bowing of the sinus walls as noted on cone-beam computed tomographic imaging.

Keyword

Paranasal Sinus Diseases; Maxillary Sinus; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Multidetector Computed Tomography