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

Background: Cervicofacial emphysema may arise due to the leakageof air from a defect in the aerodigestive tract to the fascial layersof neck and face. Rarely, it may be caused by insufflation of airthrough the Stensen's duct.Case Report: We present a case with diffuse facial, cervical andmediastinal emphysema due to playing a wind instrument immediatelyafter a facial trauma. There was no mucosal defect or lacerationnoticed by examination which could explain the origin of theemphysema. Despite the widespread cervicofacial emphysema withmediastinal involvement, the patient significantly improved within48 hours without any intervention.Conclusion: Even though cervicofacial emphysema amelioratesspontaneously, increased care must be taken, especially when there ispneumomediastinum and/or pneumothorax.