Orbital Defect and Emphysema After Nose Blowing: A Case Report and Literature Review

A 59-year-old man with a history of obstructive sleep apnea presented to the emergency department for acute swelling of the left upper and lower eyelids after nose blowing. The patient denied prior orbital trauma or surgery and examinations were unremarkable for bony step-offs, lacerations, enophthalmos, proptosis, hypoglobus, or extraocular muscle restriction. Imaging confirmed the diagnosis of left anteromedial orbital floor defect with periorbital emphysema. The orbital floor fracture repair was successfully performed with a MEDPOR implant (Stryker, Kalamazoo, Michigan) to seal the persistent orbital floor defect. A review of the literature revealed common predisposing factors, including forceful nose blowing, remote history of trauma, mucosal inflammation, and smoking.