Table 1 Subcutaneous emphysema caused by air-powder instruments (1987 to date)
From: Emphysema following air-powder abrasive treatment for peri-implantitis
Reference | Age, years/sex | Procedure | Suspected cause | Distribution | Treatment and antibiotics | Cx |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Finlayson & Stevens (1988) [17] | 49/male | Tooth stain removal | Air polishing (Cavi-jet®) | Subcutaneous | Penicillin (IV) 4 times/day for 7 days | – |
Bergendal et al. (1990) [13] | 40/female | Calculus removal for peri-implantitis | Air-powder abrasive (Prophy-Jet®) | Subcutaneous | Local application of 0.2% Hibitane®, no infection, no antibiotics | – |
Liebenberg & Crawford (1997) [14] | 16/female | Cleaning dental stains | Air-powder abrasive | Subcutaneous, pneumomediastinum | No antibiotics; resolved within 7 days | – |
Strassen et al. (2011) [19] | 52/male | Tartar removal | Air-powder abrasive (CaCO2 Powder Jet) | Subcutaneous, pneumomediastinum | Sultamicin 1.5 g 3 times/day (IV); resolved within 4 days | – |
Bassetti et al. (2014) [16] | 69/malea | Treatment for peri-implantitis | Air-powder abrasive (Air-Flow Master®, glycine powder) | Subcutaneous, pneumomediastinum | Amoxicillin/clavulinic acid 2.2 g (IV); resolved within 7 days | – |
Alonso et al. (2017) [15] | 73/male | Peri-implant cleaning | Air-powder polishing (sodium bicarbonate powder) | Subcutaneous | Methylprednisolone, 40 mg (intramuscular) + azithromycin, 500 mg/day for 3 days; resolved 4 days | – |
43/male | Teeth cleaning | Air-powder polishing (sodium bicarbonate powder) | Subcutaneous, pneumomediastinum | 12 h of observation, no antibiotics; resolved 3 to 4 days | – | |
62/female | Teeth cleaning | Air powder polishing (sodium bicarbonate powder) | Subcutaneous | Ibuprofen, 600 mg/8 h for 5 days and azithromycin 500 mg/day for 3 days; resolved within 5 days | – | |
Current report | 51/femalea | Cleaning for peri-implantitis | Air powder abrasive | Subcutaneous, retropharynx, pneumomediastinum | Cephalosphorin + tazobactam (IV); resolved within 10 days | – |