Paik Young S, Lollar Kevin W, Chang C W David
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine. Columbia, MO, USA.
Ear Nose Throat J. 2014 Feb;93(2):E14-6.
Subcutaneous emphysema as a complication of a dental procedure is uncommon. When it does occur, it can result in significant and sometimes alarming cervicofacial swelling. Management in most cases involves close observation while awaiting spontaneous resolution. However, in some cases the swelling can progress to cause serious complications and even death. Even though such complications are more commonly seen by our dental and oromaxillofacial surgery colleagues, otolaryngologists should be aware of this condition since we are often asked to consult in these cases. We describe the case of a 13-year-old girl who presented to the emergency department of our institution with an unusually dramatic acute-onset cervicofacial swelling after she had undergone a dental procedure earlier in the day. Computed tomography revealed subcutaneous emphysema. The patient was admitted to the hospital for close observation, and within 24 hours her condition had improved significantly. Shortly after discharge, she experienced a complete recovery. We review the clinical presentation, physical examination findings, diagnostic workup, and management of this complication.
皮下气肿作为牙科手术的并发症并不常见。当它确实发生时，可导致显著的、有时甚至令人惊恐的颈面部肿胀。大多数情况下的处理方法是密切观察，等待自行消退。然而，在某些情况下，肿胀可能会进展并导致严重并发症甚至死亡。尽管这种并发症在我们的牙科和口腔颌面外科同事中更常见，但耳鼻喉科医生也应该了解这种情况，因为我们经常被要求对这些病例进行会诊。我们描述了一名13岁女孩的病例，她在当天早些时候接受牙科手术后，以异常严重的急性颈面部肿胀就诊于我院急诊科。计算机断层扫描显示皮下气肿。患者入院接受密切观察，24小时内病情显著改善。出院后不久，她完全康复。我们回顾了这种并发症的临床表现、体格检查结果、诊断检查和处理方法。
