Lacrimal gland lesions account for approximately 9 to 10% of all biopsied orbital masses. Potential causes include nongranulomatous and granulomatous inflammation, autoimmune disease, lymphoproliferative disorders, benign epithelial proliferation, malignant neoplasia, and metastatic disease. Inflammatory lesions and lymphoproliferative disorders are the most common and may be unilateral or bilateral; they may also be localized to the orbit or associated with systemic disease. Both benign and malignant epithelial lacrimal gland masses tend to be unilateral and involve the orbital lobe, but a more rapid onset of symptoms and periorbital pain strongly suggest malignant disease. On orbital imaging, both inflammatory and lymphoproliferative lesions conform to the globe and surrounding structures, without changes in adjacent bone, whereas epithelial lacrimal gland masses often show scalloping of the lacrimal gland fossa. Malignant epithelial lacrimal gland tumors can also have radiographic evidence of bony invasion and destruction. Masses of the lacrimal gland may be due to a broad range of pathologies, and a good working knowledge of common clinical characteristics and radiographic imaging findings is essential for diagnosis and treatment. All patients with inflammatory, lymphoproliferative, and epithelial neoplastic lesions involving the lacrimal gland require long-term surveillance for disease recurrence and progression.
The silent sinus syndrome is characterized by atelectasis of the maxillary sinus in the setting of subclinical maxillary sinusitis and obstruction of the osteomeatal unit. The resultant expansion of orbital volume causes enophthalmos and hypoglobus. A review of the literature reveals only unilateral cases. The authors present a case of bilateral silent sinus syndrome presenting with chronic ocular surface disease. A 56-year-old man was referred for tarsorrhaphy to treat a chronic recurrent corneal ulcer. Exam revealed an area of corneal thinning in the left eye. The patient appeared cachectic and there was enophthalmos, hypoglobus, and lagophthalmos on both sides, left worse than right. Due to the patient's appearance and a history of sinonasal malignancy, recurrent malignancy was suspected. A systemic workup was unrevealing, and radiographic studies showed the features of silent sinus syndrome bilaterally. The patient underwent sinus surgery and placement of a left orbital floor implant.
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