title: Orbital emphysema causing vision loss after a dental extraction.
abstract: The use of high-speed air-cooled rotary cutting instruments is common in dental practices. When used near open wounds, the forced air can lead to subcutaneous emphysema and involvement of vital structures. This case highlights the unfortunate episode of orbital emphysema with optic nerve damage after a pneumatically cooled drill was used in the removal of a mandibular second molar.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Buckley
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Turvey
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Schumann
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Grimson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001766:Blindness / Q000209:etiology*; D003754:Dental High-Speed Equipment / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004646:Emphysema / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible; D008963:Molar / Q000601:surgery; D020221:Optic Nerve Injuries; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*