Orbital, Mediastinal and Cervicofacial Subcutaneous Emphysema after Dental Rehabilitation in a Pediatric Patient

Abstract

Subcutaneous emphysema is a rare possible complication of dental procedures. The majority of the dental literature describes cases of localized areas of subcutaneous emphysema following various dental procedures, with a large number of these cases seen following intraoral surgical procedures. Classically, subcutaneous emphysema occurs within minutes to hours after conclusion of dental procedures and is commonly misdiagnosed as either an allergic reaction or acute post-operative swelling. This case report describes a four-year-old male who underwent dental rehabilitation for routine restorative dentistry without extractions under general anesthesia. He subsequently developed extensive subcutaneous emphysema involving the right periorbital region, cervicofacial spaces, and caudal extension to include the superior aspect of the mediastinum. The purpose of this report was to provide a brief review of the prior literature on the subject, report on the case, and review the management for patients with subcutaneous emphysema.