Pneumomediastinum presenting as left periorbital subcutaneous emphysema

Abstract

Idiopathic spontaneous pneumomediastinum is rare but even rarer is associated unilateral periorbital subcutaneous emphysema. There is only 1 known case report noting both of these findings and was associated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography complication. Isolated periorbital emphysema has been associated with dental procedures, facial trauma, and sneezing. It is has also been seen with pneumomediastinum caused by barotrauma, pneumothorax, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and esophageal perforation. A 52-year-old White male presents to the emergency department with complaint of left eye swelling that occurred overnight without known cause. He was found to have spontaneous idiopathic pneumomediastinum and unilateral periorbital subcutaneous emphysema. Although rare, it is important to rule out subcutaneous air tracking from pneumomediastinum when evaluating unilateral periorbital swelling in an otherwise asymptomatic patient.