Silent sinus syndrome

Silent sinus syndrome (SSS), also called imploding antrum syndrome or maxillary sinus atelectasis, is a rare condition where one of the maxillary sinuses — the air-filled spaces behind your cheekbones — slowly collapses inward over time. Unlike most sinus problems, this condition is called 'silent' because it often causes no pain or obvious sinus symptoms at first. Instead, the sinus gradually shrinks and the walls cave in, which can pull the floor of the eye socket downward. This leads to a sunken or drooping appearance of one eye, a condition called enophthalmos, and sometimes double vision. The exact cause is not fully understood, but most experts believe it happens when the natural drainage opening of the sinus becomes blocked, causing a slow buildup of negative pressure inside the sinus. Over months or years, this negative pressure causes the sinus walls to collapse. It is not a genetic disease and is not passed down in families. Treatment usually involves surgery to restore normal airflow to the sinus and, if needed, to rebuild the floor of the eye socket. Most people do very well after surgery, with improvement in eye position and appearance. Early diagnosis is important to prevent permanent changes to the eye socket.

Bring these to your next appointment

• Q1.How far has my sinus collapsed, and has the floor of my eye socket been affected?,Do I need one surgery or two, and what is the recovery time for each?,Will my eye position and double vision fully return to normal after surgery?,What happens if I choose not to have surgery — will the condition keep getting worse?,Are there any risks specific to my case that I should know about before surgery?,How often will I need follow-up imaging or check-ups after treatment?,Is there any chance this condition could come back after surgery?

Common questions about Silent sinus syndrome