Pneumo-orbital cyst after orbital fracture repair.

Objective: To report a case of a respiratory epithelial-lined, air-filled orbital cyst as a late complication of orbital fracture repair.

Methods: Case report.

Results: Recurrent episodes of diplopia and hyperophthalmia developed secondary to pneumatic inflation of a respiratory epithelial-lined orbital cyst 6 months after orbital fracture repair. This cyst remained in communication with an ethmoidal air cell and became inflated during pressurization of the ethmoid sinus. Removal of the cyst and orbital implant was curative.

Conclusions: Air-filled, respiratory epithelial-lined orbital cyst is a rare cause of episodic diplopia and globe displacement after orbital trauma.