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An unusual case of surgical emphysema in the neck following sport injury

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2006

George Vattakuzhiyil
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, Kent, UK
Iordanis Konstantinidis
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, Kent, UK

Abstract

Surgical emphysema of the neck following sport injury without direct trauma to the neck is uncommon. We report a case of a flexion-hyperextension injury causing an air leak to the soft tissues of the neck. Diagnosis, management and potential mechanisms are discussed. Patients may initially present with minimal symptoms, but their condition may deteriorate rapidly or insidiously.

In the absence of respiratory compromise, conservative management is appropriate.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© Royal Society of Medicine Press Limited 2002

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