Subcutaneous Emphysema Secondary to the Performance of Positive Air Pressure After a Sharp Object Injury to the Hand: Case Report

Abstract

Subcutaneous emphysema is the novo infiltration of air in the subcutaneous layer of skin. The incidence of subcutaneous emphysema varies from 0.43% to 2.34%. and can result from surgical, traumatic, infectious, or idiopathic processes. Air can enter the subcutaneous tissue through occupational accidents, as occurred in our clinical presentation; on physical examination, the most common finding associated with subcutaneous emphysema is crepitus on palpation. It is important to make a timely diagnosis to determine the cause, provide appropriate management and avoid complications.