Mucocele of the paranasal sinuses as a cause of acquired orbital hypertelorism: the second case

BackgroundOrbital hypertelorism is defined as a lateralization of the total orbit. This condition is associated almost always with congenital abnormalities. An acquired total displacement of the orbit is almost impossible once the bony pillars of the craniofacial complex are established. The aim of this article was to discuss a case of a young man with paranasal sinus mucocele, who developed OHT.Case DescriptionA 20-year-old man was admitted to us with orbital hypertelorism in 1993. The patient's examination revealed marked orbital hypertelorism, and no other abnormal finding was noted, and he had no congenital defect at birth. Hypertelorism was corrected by surgery, and we find that this condition was acquired secondary to paranasal sinus mucocele.ConclusionThis is the second case of an acquired OHT secondary to paranasal sinus mucocele and the first in which the condition was corrected by surgery in late years of life. We found excellent correction of orbital hypertelorism 13 years after surgery. The authors discuss the possible link between mucocele and possible mechanism for the development of orbital hypertelorism and emphasize the need for early surgery and long-term follow-up.