A Case Report on Subcutaneous Emphysema and Pneumomediastinum Following a Routine Dental Procedure

Abstract

Subcutaneous emphysema (SE) and pneumomediastinum are rare complications of air beneath the skin layers and in the mediastinal space, respectively, following routine dental procedures. A few cases exist in the literature. A 53-year-old female presented to the emergency department shortly after a cavity filling, with marked swelling of her right orbit, face, and neck. Physical examination and computed tomography (CT) revealed subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum. The patient was treated with prophylactic antibiotics for one week and Peridex rinse twice daily. Subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum cases have been associated with potentially life-threatening sequelae and infections. Although these conditions are almost exclusively benign and self-limiting, physicians should consider the associated fatal complications and manage accordingly. Dental providers should be able to recognize this complication and provide patients with appropriate guidance.