Massive acute cervicofacial emphysema following attempted third molar extraction: A case report in effective clinical intervention
Khushboo Khan, Nancy Mathew, Deborah Sybil, Imran Khan · 2026
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Description
Khushboo Khan and co-authors (2026) report dramatic swelling after a wisdom tooth extraction attempt in a 31-year-old man. Hours after the attempted removal of his lower left third molar, his face and neck swelled widely on the left side. A CT scan showed large amounts of air trapped in the tissues, a condition called cervicofacial emphysema. The likely cause was the air-driven drill used in the procedure, or a related reaction.
Antibiotic treatment controlled the problem, and the signs nearly vanished within three weeks. No lasting harm is reported. The authors stress two lessons. Technique during surgical extraction matters, since pressurized air can dissect into deep tissue planes. Patients also need clear warnings about such complications before consent. The case shows that even a common dental operation can produce a frightening picture on a scan. With prompt care, the outcome can still be clean.
Catalog record
| CREATOR | Khushboo Khan, Nancy Mathew, Deborah Sybil, Imran Khan |
|---|---|
| YEAR | 2026 |
| COLLECTION | PAPERS |
| FORMAT | TXT |
| FILE SIZE | 7 KB |
| VERSION | 1.0 |
| LICENSE | CC BY 4.0 |
| RIGHTS | CC BY |
| SOURCE | Europe PMC |