Pneumomediastinum and cervical emphysema associated with mandibular fracture

Subcutaneous emphysema resulting from facial fractures is one of the frequently observed findings in maxillofacial surgeon’s daily practice, especially when the trauma affects the paranasal cavities. It is usually confined to the cervicocephalic region, although rarely the air, discharged into the facial soft tissues, descends along the deep fascial planes into the thoracic region and the mediastinal space, producing subcutaneous emphysema, pneumothorax and/or pneumomediastinum. The authors report a case of pneumomediastinum secondary to angular and symphyseal mandibular fractures, discussing the onset modalities and management of pneumomediastinum in the patient with maxillofacial trauma.