[Subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum after dental drilling].

Subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum is a rare complication of dental treatment. Our case report describes a case secondary to dental drilling with a high-speed air drill, and diffusion of the compressed air. Our case had the classical clinical features of sudden subcutaneous emphysema starting in the face, and subsequently extending into the neck and thorax, accompanied by severe pain and dyspnoea. Rapid medical treatment for this emergency avoided the surgical decompression.