Two case reports of mediastinal emphysema caused by dental treatment

Abstract

Case 1: A 37-year-old woman with facial swelling after dental treatment (extraction of left lower third molar) was admitted to our hospital. Subcutaneous emphysema was observed in the cervical, facial, and supraclavicular areas, and computed tomography (CT) revealed that she had prominent mediastinal emphysema. She was diagnosed with mediastinal emphysema caused by dental treatment and was promptly administered antibiotic therapy. Consequently, she was discharged without any inflammatory complications. Case 2: A 68-year-old woman with dyspnea during dental treatment was admitted to our hospital. Cervical subcutaneous emphysema was palpable, and mediastinal emphysema was also detected on CT. She was diagnosed with mediastinal emphysema, and prophylactic antibiotics were administered for mediastinitis. She was discharged without any complications.

Considering the mechanism and process of the occurrence of mediastinal emphysema caused by dental treatment, we consider prophylactic antibiotics to be essential in the treatment of these patients.