Blowout fracture of the orbital floor secondary to vigorous nose blowing.

ABSTRACT

Orbital floor fracture due to vigorous nose blowing in the absence of mechanical trauma is rare, only four cases having previously been reported. In each of these cases, predisposing factors have been identified; preceding URTI in three and a history of sino-nasal surgery in the fourth case. We present the case of a 49-year-old woman who developed a maxillary sinus fracture and orbital emphysema after blowing her nose.