A Rare Presentation of Spontaneous Orbital Emphysema with Enophthalmos

Abstract

A 25-year-old man presented with sudden onset of pain, right sided enophthalmos and periorbital emphysema following nose blowing. Computerized tomography showed fracture of medial wall of right orbit and multiple air pockets in the orbit, confirming the diagnosis of Spontaneous Orbital Emphysema (SOE). The patient was managed conservatively with spontaneous resolution of emphysema over 5 days. SOE following nose blowing is a rare but potentially blinding complication. Recognition of this rare, yet sight threatening complication is emphasized to prevent permanent visual loss. Most of the reports of SOE were associated with proptosis and hence the rarity of the case being reported.

Keywords

• spontaneous orbital emphysema
• nose blowing
• enophthalmos