Proptosis in Otorhinolaryngology: An Overview

Abstract

Introduction

Ear, nose and throat (ENT)pathologies can present with proptosis as the early manifestation. The majority of ENT pathologies present with ocular manifestations, due to close anatomical relationship.

Objective

To study proptosis in ENT disorders in terms of etiology, pathogenesis, and management.

Methods

The present article is a prospective study conducted at a tertiary care center, in Telangana, India. Patients presenting with proptosis secondary to ENT disorders were thoroughly evaluated and subjected to surgical exploration after providing a signed informed consent.

Results

Sixty cases of proptosis secondary to ENT disorders have been reported. The most common cause was sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma followed by juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma and allergic fungal rhinosinusitis.

Conclusion

Many ENT disorders can present with proptosis. Proptosis needs to be evaluated completely for proper management and to limit the morbidity associated with it.

Keywords
proptosis; orbit; Graves'disease; ethmoid

Introduction

Proptosis is defined as the axial displacement of one or both eyeballs relative to the skull.¹ An otorhinolaryngologistshould do a thorough evaluation of proptosis. Proptosis can be an early and, at times, the only manifestation of an ENT pathology. As there is close anatomical proximity of the orbit to the nose, sinuses, and the nasopharynx, the majority of ENT pathologies present with ocular manifestations.² The various routes attributed to the spread of this pathology are the foramen, fissures, vascular, erosion, and compression of the anatomical barriers.³ Radiological investigations play a major role in the diagnosis.⁴ Early diagnosis and treatment can revert proptosis in the majority of cases.⁵

Objectives

To determine the demographic characteristics, etiological factors, pathogenesis, and the various management strategies for proptosis in otorhinolaryngology

Materials and Methods

The present prospective study was conducted at the department of ENT of atertiary care center in Telangana, India, for the duration of 2 years (June 2017-June 2019). Sixty cases of proptosis secondary to ENT disorders have been reported. Patients of all age groups presenting with proptosis due to ENT disorders who have given informed consent were included in present study. Patients with proptosis due to primary ocular pathology as well as those who have not given informed consent were excluded from present study. All patients were subjected to detailed history taking, clinical examination, diagnostic procedures and were subjected to treatment after signing the informed consent. Data regarding age, gender, etiology, ocular manifestations and treatment were recorded, and a statistical analysis was performed.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Results

(►Figs. 1-3 and ►Tables 1-4).

Table 1
Etiology distribution of study population

Etiology	N; %
Nose and sinuses
Nasal vestibulitis	1; 2%
Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis	3; 5%
Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis	6; 10%
Acute invasive fungal sinusitis	1; 2%
Fungal granuloma	3; 5%
Wegener granulomatosis	1; 2%
Ethmoid mucocele	2; 3%
Sinonasalschwannoma	2; 3%
Inverted papilloma	1; 2%
Frontal sinus osteoma	1; 2%
Fibrous dysplasia of maxilla	3; 5%
Fibrous dysplasia of ethmoid	1; 2%
Sinonasalsquamous cell carcinoma	12; 20%
Sinonasaladenocarcinoma	2; 3%
Sinonasaladenoid cystic carcinoma	2; 3%
Sinonasalembryonal rhabdomyosarcoma	1; 2%
Olfactory neuroblastoma	1; 2%
Nasopharynx
Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma	7; 11%
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma	4; 6%
Thyroid
Graves' disease	6; 10%

Table 2
Etiopathogenesis of study population

Etiology	Pathogenesis
Nose and sinuses
Nasal vestibulitis	Vascular (1; 2%)
Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis	Vascular (2; 3%) Compression (1; 2%)
Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis	Compression (6; 10%)
Acute invasive fungal sinusitis	Erosion (1; 2%)
Fungal granuloma	Compression (1; 2%) Erosion (2; 3%)
Wegener granulomatosis	Erosion (1; 2%)
Ethmoid mucocele	Compression (1; 2%) Erosion (1; 2%)
Sinonasalschwannoma	Compression (1; 2%) Erosion (1; 2%)
Inverted papilloma	Erosion (1; 2%)
Frontal sinus osteoma	Compression (1; 2%)
Fibrous dysplasia of maxilla	Compression (3; 5%)
Fibrous dysplasia of ethmoid	Compression (1; 2%)
Sinonasalsquamous cell carcinoma	Erosion (12; 20%)
Sinonasaladenocarcinoma	Erosion (2; 3%)
Sinonasaladenoid cystic carcinoma	Erosion (2; 3%)
Sinonasalembryonal rhabdomyosarcoma	Erosion (1; 2%)
Olfactory neuroblastoma	Erosion (1; 2%)
Nasopharynx
Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma	Erosion (1; 2%) Compression (3; 5%) Spread via fissures (3; 5%)
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma	Erosion (2; 3%) Spread via fissures (2; 3%)
Thyroid
Graves' disease	Increased intraconal fat (6; 10%)
TOTAL: Erosion: 28; 47% Compression: 18; 30% Vascular causing cavernous sinus involvement: 3; 5% Spread via fissures: 5; 8% Increased intraconal Fat: 6; 10%

Table 3
Non-surgical treatment distribution of study population

Etiology	Non-surgical management
Nose & sinuses
Nasal vestibulitis	IV antibiotics (1; 2%) IV steroids (1; 2%)
Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis	IV antibiotics (3; 5%) IV steroids (2; 3%)
Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis	Intranasal steroids (6, 10%)
Acute invasive fungal sinusitis	IV amphotericin B (1; 2%) Oral itraconazole (1, 2%)
Fungal granuloma	IV amphotericin B (3; 5%) Oral itraconazole (3; 5%)
Wegener granulomatosis	Oral steroids (1, 2%) Oral cyclosporin (1; 2%)
Ethmoid mucocele	-
Sinonasal schwannoma	-
Inverted papilloma	-
Frontal sinus osteoma	-
Fibrous dysplasia of maxilla	-
Fibrous dysplasia of ethmoid	-
Sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma	Radiotherapy (10; 17%) Postoperative radiotherapy (2; 3%)
Sinonasal adenocarcinoma	-
Sinonasal adenoid cystic carcinoma	Postoperative radiotherapy (2; 3%)
Sinonasal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma	Chemotherapy (1; 2%)
Olfactory neuroblastoma	Postoperative radiotherapy (1; 2%)
NASOPHARYNX
Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma	-
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma	Radiotherapy (4; 6%)
Thyroid
Graves' disease	Antithyroid drugs (6; 10%)
TOTAL: Antibiotics: IV (4; 6%) Steroids: Oral (1; 2%), IV (3; 5%), intranasal (6; 10%) = 10, 17% Immunosuppressive: Oral cyclosporin (1; 2%) Antifungals: IV amphotericin B (4; 6%), Oral itraconazole (4; 6%) Antithyroid drugs: 6; 10% Radiotherapy: 19; 32% of which 5; 8% were postoperative radiotherapy Chemotherapy: 1; 2%

• Abbreviation: IV, intravenous.

Table 4
Surgical treatment of study population

Etiology	Surgery
Nose & sinuses
Nasal vestibulitis	Incision &drainage (1; 2%)
Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis	Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (3; 5%)
Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis	Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (6; 10%)
Acute invasive fungal sinusitis	Endoscopic sinus surgery and debridement (1; 2%)
Fungal granuloma	Endoscopic sinus surgery (3; 5%)
Wegener granulomatosis	Endoscopic sinus surgery (1; 2%)
Ethmoid mucocele	Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (2; 3%)
Sinonasalschwannoma	Endoscopic resection (2;3%)
Inverted papilloma	Endoscopic resection (1; 2%)
Frontal sinus osteoma	Bicoronalincision and excision (1; 2%)
Fibrous dysplasia of maxilla	Lateral rhinotomy &paring (3; 5%)
Fibrous dysplasia of ethmoid	Lynch-Howarth external approach and removal (1,; 2%)
Sinonasalsquamous cell carcinoma	Total maxillectomy (2; 3%)
Sinonasaladenocarcinoma	Total maxillectomy (2; 3%)
Sinonasaladenoid cystic carcinoma	Total maxillectomy (2; 3%)
Sinonasalembryonal rhabdomyosarcoma	-
Olfactory neuroblastoma	Endoscopic resection (1; 2%)
Nasopharynx
Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma	Endoscopic surgery with coblation (2; 3%) Lateral rhinotomy (5, 8%)
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma	-
Thyroid
Graves' disease	Orbital decompression (2; 3%) Subtotal thyroidectomy (6; 10%)
TOTAL: Incision and drainage: 1; 2% Functional endoscopic sinus surgery: 11; 18% Endoscopic sinus surgery: 5; 8% Endoscopic resection: 4; 6% Bicoronal incision & excision: 1; 2% Lynch-Howarth external approach & removal: 1; 2% Lateral rhinotomy: 8; 13% Total maxillectomy: 6; 10% Endoscopic coblation surgery: 2; 3% Orbital decompression: 2; 3% Subtotal thyroidectomy: 6; 10%

Fig. 1
Graph depicting age distribution of study population.

Fig. 2
Gender distribution of study population.

Fig. 3
Paranasal sinuses computed tomography coronal section depicting proptosis of the right eye resulting due to right ethmoid mucocele causing erosion of the right lamina papyracea.

Discussion

Sixty cases of ENT disorders leading to proptosis as one of the manifestations are reported in the present study.

Demographics

In the present study, the highest incidence of proptosis was noted in elderly patients(> 50 years old group), accounting for 22 cases (37%);this was followed by tmiddle-aged patients(31-50 years old group), accounting for 17 cases (28%), followed by the young patientsgroup (16-30 years old), accounting for 13 cases (22%). The lowest incidence was noted in in the group of patients aged 0-15 years old, accounting for 8 cases (13%). These data aresimilar tothe ones presented in the study by Venugopal et al,⁶ in which the incidence of proptosis secondary to ENT disorders increased with advancing age.

The highest incidence of proptosis secondary to ENT disorders was noted in male patients, accounting for 40 cases (67%). In female patients, it accounted for 20 cases (33%). This is similar tothe data presented in the study by Sinha et al.³ The male to female ratio was 2:1.

Etiology

In the present study, the anatomical categorization was nose, sinuses, nasopharynx, and thyroid, the pathology of which lead to one of the clinical manifestations of proptosis. In the nose and sinuses, the infective causes for proptosis were nasal vestibulitis (1; 2%), acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (3;5%), allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (6; 10%), and acute invasive fungal sinusitis (1; 2%). The granulomatous causes were fungal granuloma (3; 5%), and Wegener granulomatosis (1; 2%). The most common infectious etiology was Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis, and the most common granulomatous etiology was fungal granuloma. Sinonasal infections accounted for 15 cases (25%). In the nose and sinuses, the benign causes for proptosis were frontal sinus osteoma (1; 2%); fibrous dysplasia of the ethmoid sinus (1; 2%); fibrous dysplasia of the maxilla (3; 5%); sinonasal inverted papilloma (1; 2%); and sinonasal schwannoma (2; 3%). In the nasopharynx, the benign cause for proptosis was juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (7; 11%). In the present study, there were 4 fibrous dysplasia cases presenting as proptosis. Moore et al⁷ have reported 16 cases of fibrous dysplasia presenting as proptosis. The most common of benign tumor was juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. This is in accordance with the study by Sinha et al.³ Sinonasal and nasopharyngeal benign tumors accounted for 15 cases (25%). In the nose and sinuses, the malignant causes for proptosis were sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (12; 20%); sinonasal adenocarcinoma (2; 3%); sinonasal adenoid cystic carcinoma (2; 3%); sinonasal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (1; 2%); and olfactory neuroblastoma (1,;2%). In the nasopharynx, the malignant cause for proptosis was nasopharyngeal carcinoma (4; 6%). The most common of malignant tumor was sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma. This is in accordance with the studies by Conley et al,⁵ Sabharwal et al,⁸ Sayed et al,⁹ and Johnson et al.¹⁰ Sinonasal and nasopharyngeal malignant tumors accounted for 22 cases (37%). The miscellaneous causes for proptosis were ethmoid mucocele (2; 3%) and Graves' disease (6; 10%). It was evident that malignant tumors, especially sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma, presented most commonly with proptosis manifestation, followed by juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma and allergic fungal rhinosinusitis.

Pathogenesis

In the present study, the various pathogeneses for proptosis were erosion of anatomical barriers (28; 47%), compression of anatomical barriers (18; 30%); vascular spread leading to cavernous sinus involvement (3; 5%); spread via fissures(5; 8%); and increased intraconal fat (6; 10%). The computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and surgical exploration have played a role in identifying the various routes of involvement of the orbit that led to proptosis as one of the manifestations. The most common route was erosion of the anatomical barriers followed by compression of the anatomical barriers. the majority of malignant tumors were responsible for erosion of the anatomical barriers, whereas the majority of benign tumors and infective causes were responsible for compression of the anatomical barriers. One case of nasal vestibulitis and 2 cases of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis presented as cavernous sinus involvement, suggesting the valvelessnature of communicating veins. This finding is similar tothat reported in the study by Canon et al,¹¹ according to which sinusitis and untreated nasal vestibulitis can complicate to cavernous sinus thrombosis.

Management

Five cases (8%) were treated with non-surgical modalities alone, of which 1 case was of sinonasal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, and 4 cases were of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Nineteen cases (32%) were treated with surgical modality alone, 7 of which were cases of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, 2 cases were of sinonasaladenocarcinoma, 3 cases were of fibrous dysplasia of maxilla, 1 case was of fibrous dysplasia of ethmoid, 1 case was of frontal sinus osteoma, 1 case was of inverted papilloma, 2 cases were of sinonasal schwannoma, and 2 cases were of ethmoid mucocele. Thirty-six cases (60%) required a combined modality of both non-surgical and surgical treatments.

Non-surgical Measures

Nineteen cases (32%) were treated with radiotherapy, of which 10 cases were of sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma, 4 cases were of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and 5 cases were given postoperative radiotherapy (1 case of olfactory neuroblastoma, 2 cases of sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma, 2 cases of sinonasal adenoid cystic carcinoma). Ten cases (17%) were treated with steroids, of which 1 case was of nasal vestibulitis, 2 cases of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis were treated with intravenous steroids, 6 cases of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis were treated with intranasal steroids, and 1 case of Wegener granulomatosis was treated with oral steroids. Four cases (6%) were treated with antifungals, of which 1 case was of acute invasive fungal sinusitis, and 3 cases of fungal granuloma were treated with both IV amphotericin B and oral itraconazole. Four cases(6%) were treated with intravenous antibiotics, of which 1 case was of nasal vestibulitis and 3 cases were of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. Cavernous sinus involvement cases (3) were treated with intravenous antibiotics and intravenous steroids. This is similar tothat reported in the study by Abhay et al.¹² One case of Wegener granulomatosis was also given oral cyclosporin. One case of sinonasal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma was treated with chemotherapy. All 6 cases of Graves' disease (10%) were treated with antithyroid drugs.

Surgical Measures

Eleven cases (18%) were treated with functional endoscopic sinus surgery, of which 3 cases were of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis, 6 cases were of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis, and 2 cases were of ethmoid mucocele. Six cases (10%) were treated with total maxillectomy, of which 2 cases were of sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma, 2 cases were of sinonasal adenoid cystic carcinoma, and 2 cases were of sinonasal adenocarcinoma. Three cases required orbital exenteration (2 cases of sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma and 1 case of sinonasal adenoid cystic carcinoma). Eight cases (13%) were treated with a lateral rhinotomy approach, of which 5 cases were of juvenile nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and 3 cases were of fibrous dysplasia of maxilla, in which paring was done. Five cases (8%) were treated with endoscopic sinus surgery, of which 1 case was of acute invasive fungal sinusitis, in which debridement was done, 3 cases were of fungal granuloma, and 1 case was of Wegener granulomatosis. In 4 cases (6%), endoscopic resection was done;out of these, 1 case was of inverted papilloma, 1 case was of olfactory neuroblastoma, and 2 cases were of sinonasal schwannoma. All 6 cases of Graves' disease were treated with subtotal thyroidectomy, of which 2 cases also required orbital decompression as an emergency treatment to prevent loss of vision due to increasing intraorbital pressure. Nasal vestibulitis (1 case) required incision and drainage. Frontal sinus osteoma (1 case) managed by bicoronalincision and excision. Fibrous dysplasia of ethmoidsinus (1 case) was managed by Lynch-Howarth external approach and removal. Two cases of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma were treated with endoscopic coblation method.

Conclusion

The majority of nose, sinuses, nasopharyngeal and thyroid pathologies can present proptosis as one of the clinical manifestations. The resultant compression of the orbit can raise the intraorbitalpressure, thus leading to increased mortality and morbidity (blindness). Hence, it is essential for an otorhinolaryngologistand ophthalmologist to thoroughly evaluate the proptosis and work as a team to diagnose and manage this disorder at the earliest to prevent blindness as well as to address the cosmetic defect.

References

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  14 June 2021
• Date of issue
  Apr-Jun 2021

History

• Received
  25 Sept 2019
• Accepted
  04 Mar 2020