Cervicofacial emphysema and pneumomediastinum following dental extraction: case report

Pneumomediastinum is commonly caused by iatrogenic injury such as surgery on the cervical planes and chest or by tracheostomy. It is also well known that emphysema may occur after dental treatments using an air turbine drill, but there have been few cases of emphysema which extended to the mediastinum. A 16-year-old boy is presented with subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum which developed 24 hours after surgery for extraction of an inferior second molar. We first describe history, clinical presentation and radiologic appearance of our patient and then review the literature about oral surgery causing pneumomediastinum. Surgical procedures in oral cavity can lead to the development of emphysema and pneumomediastinum when air turbine dental drills are used. To avoid these complications, air turbine high speed drills should be used only in necessary cases.