Severe subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum associated with minor maxillofacial trauma.
In the maxillofacial region, subcutaneous emphysema, which occurs after fractures of the pneumatic paranasal sinuses, is a common finding in a maxillofacial surgeon's daily practice. Pneumomediastinum secondary to these fractures is a less frequent event, however, without thoracic or abdominal injuries. The authors report a case of severe subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum that occurred after fractures of the nasal bones and medial orbital wall. The etiology, diagnosis, and treatment modalities of mediastinal emphysema are discussed.
Roccia
Fabio
F
Division of Maxillofacial Surgery, S. Giovanni Battista Hospital, University of Torino, Torino, Italy. Fabio.Roccia@poste.it
Griffa
Alessandro
A
Nasi
Andrea
A
Baragiotta
Nicola
N
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D005145:Face; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000209:etiology*; D009295:Nasal Bone / Q000293:injuries*; D009333:Neck / Q000473:pathology*; D009917:Orbital Fractures / Q000150:complications*; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000150:complications*; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000209:etiology*