[Acute Facial Swelling Following Dental Procedure - an Allergic Reaction?]

The most common cause of facial edema after dental or medical treatment is an allergic reaction. At our emergency department, a 58-year old female patient presenting with swollen right face after dental crown preparation, was initially treated with antiallergic medication. After three hours the patient was stable, swelling was still present and then crepitus could be observed on second palpation. Cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema was confirmed with an unenhanced CT of the head and paranasal sinus; it is a rare complication after dental treatment and within the last years only few cases have been reported. Reported complications are pneumothorax and -pericardium, mediastinitis or air embolism, so early recognition is important. Our case report depicts diagnostic and therapeutic steps of this uncommon differential diagnosis.