Subcutaneous emphysema after intralesional cryotherapy: An unusual complication

Intralesional cryotherapy (ILC) is a safe and well tolerated by the patient. Subcutaneous emphysema (SE) cases after spray and contact cryotherapy have been described; however, this complication has not been previously reported after ILC.

Our aim is to discuss the possible causes of SE development after ILC.

We present a young patient that developed SE after ILC applying by insertion of an open-ended needle to the tip of the cryotherapy gun.

The development of SE following ILC may have been caused by inward clefting from the ear hole, the usage of an open-ended needle and a lack of safety system.

It will be safer to apply special methods involving the usage of sealed distal type to prevent SE development.