Enophthalmos: a clinical review.

Twenty-six cases of enophthalmos were reviewed. The causes in order of frequency were: orbital asymmetry (8); trauma (5); orbital metastasis (4); microphthalmos (2); orbital varix (2); maxillary mucocele (2); localized scleroderma (1); absence of sphenoid wing (neurofibromatosis) (1); post irradiation atrophy (1). Only six of the patients (23%) were referred with the diagnosis of enophthalmos, suggesting the sign maybe subtle and is frequently missed or misdiagnosed. The nature of the causes underscore the need for careful and thorough diagnosis. In particular, the therapeutic implications of diagnosing metastatic disease, maxillary mucocele, and orbital varices is noted. A review of etiology and mechanisms of enophthalmos point to the diversity, importance and conditions causing this sign.