ABSTRACT
Cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema is a known, rare complication of both dental and surgical procedures. Cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema arises when air is forced beneath the tissues, leading to swelling, crepitus on palpation, and the potential of the air to spread along the fascial planes. This report presents a case of cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema in a patient who had undergone surgical extraction of the mandibular right first molar. The dentist in this case used a compressed air-driven handpiece to section the tooth. This forced air, under high pressure, into the subcutaneous tissue spaces. The patient presented with severe hemifacial swelling and crepitus on palpation. Computed tomographic examination revealed air subcutaneously, and a diagnosis of cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema was made.
Subject(s)
Subcutaneous Emphysema/etiology , Adult , Diagnosis, Differential , Face/diagnostic imaging , Face/pathology , Female , Humans , Molar/surgery , Subcutaneous Emphysema/diagnosis , Subcutaneous Emphysema/diagnostic imaging , Subcutaneous Emphysema/pathology , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Tooth Extraction/adverse effectsABSTRACT
Ectomesenchymal chondromyxoid tumors (ECT) are rare, benign, intraoral mesenchymal soft tissue tumors that can be diagnostically challenging. In this study the demographic, clinical, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical features of seven ECTs are examined. The differential diagnosis of this rare neoplasm is discussed and the literature is reviewed.