title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Yadkin Valley Community Hospital, 624 W Main St, Yadkinville, NC, 27055. Electronic address: jonathan.orton@yadkinhospital.com.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Orton
authors.affiliation: Yadkin Valley Community Hospital, 624 W Main St, Yadkinville, NC, 27055. Electronic address: emily.collette@yadkinhospital.com.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Collette
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media