Valsalva-Induced Orbital and Subcutaneous Periorbital Emphysema Secondary to Lamina Papyracea Dehiscence: A Case Report

Introduction: Pneumo-orbit and periorbital subcutaneous emphysema secondary to defects in the sinus wall have been well described in the context of traumatic or surgical sequelae. However, these conditions may rarely occur atraumatically in the setting of an idiopathic or congenital sinus...

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Main Authors: Stuti Misty Tanya, Merve Kulbay, Femida Kherani, Marc B. Mydlarski
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Karger Publishers 2025-02-01
Series:Case Reports in Ophthalmology
Online Access:https://karger.com/article/doi/10.1159/000544098
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author Stuti Misty Tanya
Merve Kulbay
Femida Kherani
Marc B. Mydlarski
author_facet Stuti Misty Tanya
Merve Kulbay
Femida Kherani
Marc B. Mydlarski
author_sort Stuti Misty Tanya
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Pneumo-orbit and periorbital subcutaneous emphysema secondary to defects in the sinus wall have been well described in the context of traumatic or surgical sequelae. However, these conditions may rarely occur atraumatically in the setting of an idiopathic or congenital sinus wall dehiscence, with a risk for orbital compartment syndrome and irreversible vision loss. We describe a case of idiopathic lamina papyracea dehiscence with resultant pneumo-orbit and elevated intraocular pressure. Case Presentation: A 28-year-old man experienced a sudden onset of unilateral orbital and subcutaneous periorbital emphysema following Valsalva maneuver. He had unilateral subcutaneous emphysema, crepitus, violaceous discoloration of the lids, and chemosis of the palpebral conjunctiva. Visual acuity was intact, and intraocular pressure was mildly elevated. Imaging showed an idiopathic lamina papyracea dehiscence. The patient was advised of sinus precautions with uneventful spontaneous resolution and no visual sequelae. Conclusion: Lamina papyracea dehiscence predisposes to spontaneous Valsalva-induced orbital or periorbital emphysema with a risk of elevated intraocular pressure, optic neuropathy, and vision loss; prompt recognition and early management can prevent vision-threatening sequelae.
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spelling doaj-art-425713bc18f34edd851112422ebef5e82025-08-20T03:49:41ZengKarger PublishersCase Reports in Ophthalmology1663-26992025-02-0116120220610.1159/000544098Valsalva-Induced Orbital and Subcutaneous Periorbital Emphysema Secondary to Lamina Papyracea Dehiscence: A Case ReportStuti Misty TanyaMerve KulbayFemida KheraniMarc B. Mydlarski Introduction: Pneumo-orbit and periorbital subcutaneous emphysema secondary to defects in the sinus wall have been well described in the context of traumatic or surgical sequelae. However, these conditions may rarely occur atraumatically in the setting of an idiopathic or congenital sinus wall dehiscence, with a risk for orbital compartment syndrome and irreversible vision loss. We describe a case of idiopathic lamina papyracea dehiscence with resultant pneumo-orbit and elevated intraocular pressure. Case Presentation: A 28-year-old man experienced a sudden onset of unilateral orbital and subcutaneous periorbital emphysema following Valsalva maneuver. He had unilateral subcutaneous emphysema, crepitus, violaceous discoloration of the lids, and chemosis of the palpebral conjunctiva. Visual acuity was intact, and intraocular pressure was mildly elevated. Imaging showed an idiopathic lamina papyracea dehiscence. The patient was advised of sinus precautions with uneventful spontaneous resolution and no visual sequelae. Conclusion: Lamina papyracea dehiscence predisposes to spontaneous Valsalva-induced orbital or periorbital emphysema with a risk of elevated intraocular pressure, optic neuropathy, and vision loss; prompt recognition and early management can prevent vision-threatening sequelae. https://karger.com/article/doi/10.1159/000544098
spellingShingle Stuti Misty Tanya
Merve Kulbay
Femida Kherani
Marc B. Mydlarski
Valsalva-Induced Orbital and Subcutaneous Periorbital Emphysema Secondary to Lamina Papyracea Dehiscence: A Case Report
Case Reports in Ophthalmology
title Valsalva-Induced Orbital and Subcutaneous Periorbital Emphysema Secondary to Lamina Papyracea Dehiscence: A Case Report
title_full Valsalva-Induced Orbital and Subcutaneous Periorbital Emphysema Secondary to Lamina Papyracea Dehiscence: A Case Report
title_fullStr Valsalva-Induced Orbital and Subcutaneous Periorbital Emphysema Secondary to Lamina Papyracea Dehiscence: A Case Report
title_full_unstemmed Valsalva-Induced Orbital and Subcutaneous Periorbital Emphysema Secondary to Lamina Papyracea Dehiscence: A Case Report
title_short Valsalva-Induced Orbital and Subcutaneous Periorbital Emphysema Secondary to Lamina Papyracea Dehiscence: A Case Report
title_sort valsalva induced orbital and subcutaneous periorbital emphysema secondary to lamina papyracea dehiscence a case report
url https://karger.com/article/doi/10.1159/000544098
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AT mervekulbay valsalvainducedorbitalandsubcutaneousperiorbitalemphysemasecondarytolaminapapyraceadehiscenceacasereport
AT femidakherani valsalvainducedorbitalandsubcutaneousperiorbitalemphysemasecondarytolaminapapyraceadehiscenceacasereport
AT marcbmydlarski valsalvainducedorbitalandsubcutaneousperiorbitalemphysemasecondarytolaminapapyraceadehiscenceacasereport