Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7czq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T14:59:41.200Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Surgical emphysema following dental treatment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

R. J. Salib*
Affiliation:
Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, London, UK.
P. Valentine
Affiliation:
Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, London, UK.
S. Akhtar
Affiliation:
Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, London, UK.
*
Address for correspondence: Mr R. J. Salib, 10 Roxborough Avenue, Harrow, Middlesex HA1 3BU.

Abstract

Surgical emphysema is a relatively rare complication of dental surgery. Many cases go unrecognized or are misdiagnosed. Although the majority of cases resolve spontaneously, some can lead to potentially lifethreatening complications requiring emergency intervention. A case of surgical emphysema following a routine restorative dental procedure is presented. The differential diagnosis and management of this condition is discussed.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1999

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Flood, T. R. (1988) Mediastinal emphysema complicating a zygomatic fracture. A case report and review of the literature. British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 26: 141148.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Geffner, I. (1980) Subcutaneous emphysema following amalgam restoration. British Dental Journal 148: 192.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Heymans, S. N., Babayof, I. (1995) Emphysematous complications in dentistry, 1960–1993: An illustrative case and review of the literature. Quintessence International 26: 535543.Google Scholar
Rickles, N. H., Joshi, B. A. (1963) A possible case in a human and an investigation in dogs, of death from air embolism during root canal therapy. Journal of the American Dental Association 67: 397404.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sandler, C. M., Libshitz, H. I., Marks, G. (1975) Pneumoperitoneum, pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium following dental extraction. Radiology 115: 539540.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schuman, N. J., Edwards, B. C., Walker, W., Chitwood, W. (1983) Subcutaneous emphysema during operative dentistry: report of a case with a 30 month follow up. Journal of Oral Pathology and Medicine 38: 168169.Google Scholar
Shacleford, D., Cassani, J. A. P. (1993) Diffuse subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax after dental extraction. Annals of Emergency Medicine 22: 248250.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shafto, C. E. (1945) Surgical emphysema of the neck and chest wall following dental extraction. British Dental Journal 78: 364365.Google Scholar
Shovelton, D. S. (1957) Surgical emphysema as a complication of dental operation. British Dental Journal 102: 125129.Google Scholar
Sivaloganathan, K., Whear, N. M. (1990) Surgical emphysema during restorative dentistry. British Dental Journal 169: 9394.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed