Maxillary Silent Sinus Syndrome (SSS, Imploding Antrum Syndrome)

Synonym: imploding antrum syndrome

Mechanism: occlusion of drainage from the maxillary sinus, resulting in reduced intrasinus pressures

Clinical findings:

(1) pain in the ipsilateral maxilla

(2) nasal congestion

(3) enophthalmos (sunken eye)

(4) drop in the pupillary level (hypoglobus)

(5) deviated nasal septum

(6) variable history of sinusitis

(7) diplopia

Imaging findings:

(1) reduction in the size of the maxillary sinus with opacification

(2) downward bowing of the orbital floor

If there is a preceding event such as trauma or infection then it is termed secondary. If there is no preceding event then it is termed primary.