Facial, Cervical, and Mediastinal Emphysema of the Clarinet Player: Case Report

Year 2014, Volume: 31 Issue: 4, 360 - 362, 01.10.2014

Yusuf Özgür Biçer Selcan Kesgin Erkan Tezcan Serap Köybaşı

Abstract

Background: Cervicofacial emphysema may arise due to the leakage
of air from a defect in the aerodigestive tract to the fascial layers
of neck and face. Rarely, it may be caused by insufflation of air
through the Stensen’s duct.
Case Report: We present a case with diffuse facial, cervical and
mediastinal emphysema due to playing a wind instrument immediately
after a facial trauma. There was no mucosal defect or laceration
noticed by examination which could explain the origin of the emphysema. Despite the widespread cervicofacial emphysema with
mediastinal involvement, the patient significantly improved within
48 hours without any intervention.
Conclusion: Even though cervicofacial emphysema ameliorates
spontaneously, increased care must be taken, especially when there is
pneumomediastinum and/or pneumothorax.

Keywords

Cervicofacial, emphysema, mediastinal, Stensen’s duct, wind instrument

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