Massive concha bullosa pyocele with orbital extention

Concha bullosa is the most common anatomic variant of the middle turbinate. It remains usually asymptomatic. Pyocele occurs when concha bullosa becomes infected. In the formation of a pyocele, middle turbinate may become expanded and occupy the surrounding structures with local bone destruction. Direct extension of mass from the nose into the orbit may occur, because the orbital contents are separated from the ethmoidal labyrinth only by the thin lamina papyracea. We report a case of concha bullosa pyocele with orbital extension. Orbital involvement is also associated with ocular functional loss. In this case, ocular motion and vision remained normal despite of the presence of orbital extension for 2 years. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.