Pneumomediastinum caused by isolated oral-facial trauma.
Pneumomediastinum from isolated blunt or penetrating oral-facial trauma is a rare occurrence, which can be associated with facial fractures or may be iatrogenic. We present two cases caused by high-pressure-induced facial injuries that had very different management and outcomes. The first patient had asymptomatic pneumomediastinum and an uncomplicated recovery, whereas the second had a complicated clinical course requiring extensive surgical debridement. Neither patient developed mediastinitis as a complication of pneumomediastinum. This case series illustrates isolated facial trauma causing pneumomediastinum and reviews the literature over last 20 years for similar cases. The authors advocate emergency department management of pneumomediastinum from facial trauma.
Demers
Gerard
G
Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA 92134-5000, USA. gerard.demers@med.navy.mil
Camp
Jacob L
JL
Bennett
Donald
D
D000328:Adult; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed