Cervicofacial and mediastinal emphysema complicating tooth extraction in an elderly patient: a preventable complication

Subcutaneous emphysema is widely documented in the literature and well known by doctors and dentists. However, subcutaneous emphysema following tooth extraction is not very common.

We report the case of a 72-year-old female who presented to the emergency department of the Bunbury Hospital in Bunbury in the state of Western Australia in Australia, with subcutaneous emphysema of the face and neck with extension into the mediastinum, following a complicated tooth extraction in 2016. It was a dramatic and scary occurrence for both the patient and dentist, but totally preventable. The investigations and treatment could have been very invasive. However, with limited and essential management, the process was kept simple and safe for the patient.

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