Subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum following dental extraction

A case of acute subcutaneous emphysema of the lateral region of the neck is described. The patient, a 26-year-old woman, also had radiologic evidence of pneumomediastinum. She completely recovered in a few days under prophylactic antibiotherapy. In this case, subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema was most probably due to the introduction of air into the soft tissue during dental surgery using compressed air equipment.