Subcutaneous emphysema and vocal fold paresis as a complication of a dental procedure. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019 Sep;124:76-78
Date
06/07/2019Pubmed ID
31170557DOI
10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.05.033Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85066396363 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 7 CitationsAbstract
Third molar extraction is a common oral surgery performed in the pediatric population. Here we report a case of extensive subcutaneous emphysema of the orbital, masticator, parapharyngeal, retropharyngeal spaces, bilateral carotid and visceral spaces, and pneumomediastinum after third molar extraction with turbine drill. This was treated with intubation for airway protection, transoral drainage, and intravenous antibiotics. After discharge the patient reported persistent dysphonia and was found to have left vocal fold paresis. This was likely related to extensive pneumomediastum causing injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve. This is the first report of cervicofacial emphysema leading to vocal cord paresis after third molar extraction, demonstrating the importance of serial clinical monitoring in these cases.
Author List
North L, Sulman CAuthor
Lauren North MD Assistant Professor in the Otolaryngology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentHumans
Male
Mediastinal Emphysema
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries
Subcutaneous Emphysema
Tooth Extraction
Vocal Cord Paralysis
