A Rare Case of Cervical Subcutaneous Emphysema Following Swimming

Subcutaneous cervical emphysema refers to the presence of air or gas trapped beneath the skin in the neck or cervical region. It typically occurs when air is introduced into the tissues due to trauma, infection, or medical procedures that disrupt the respiratory tract. Diagnosis is based on clinical presentation in addition to chest and neck radiographic examinations. Subcutaneous cervical emphysema resulting from swimming is extremely rare, and patients may be asymptomatic or present with crepitus, neck swelling, and dysphonia. In severe cases, life-threatening complications can occur, such as airway compromise or tension pneumothorax. The authors of this manuscript report a rare case of a 9-year-old female, previously healthy, who presented with subcutaneous cervical emphysema following a swimming training session. This patient was followed up for 1 month with conservative management and experienced self-resolution of her symptoms. Early diagnosis, monitoring, and initiation of treatment are highly recommended to prevent any long-term or life-threatening complications.