title: Don't Blow It! Extensive Subcutaneous Emphysema of the Neck Caused by Isolated Facial Injuries: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although subcutaneous emphysema resulting from maxillofacial surgery is well described in the literature, the association with maxillofacial trauma is less firm. Clinically evident subcutaneous emphysema from facial injury is uncommon and extension into the cervical and mediastinal tissues is exceedingly rare, with few reported cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  An unusual case of extensive subcutaneous emphysema after facial trauma is presented. The case posed a diagnostic dilemma in our emergency department. WHY SHOULD EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS BE AWARE OF THIS?: Facial fractures are a rare but important cause of surgical emphysema. Emergency physicians need to be aware of the diagnostic possibility and the need to avoid factors that may precipitate secondary injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, The Townsville Hospital, Douglas, Australia.
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Makrides
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, The Townsville Hospital, Douglas, Australia.
authors.forename: Luke D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Lawton
mesh_terms: D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000293:injuries*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014754:Violence
keywords: facial trauma; subcutaneous emphysema; surgical emphysema