Mucosal tear in the oropharynx leading to pneumopericardium and pneumomediastinum: An musual complicati on of blunt trauma to the face and neck

Pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium are very rare complications resulting from blunt trauma to the head and neck. We report the case of a 40-year-old male who had been assaulted. He presented to the Emergency Department with bruises to the face and neck and complained of dysphagia. He was found to have extensive subcutaneous emphysema of the face and neck. Imaging revealed the presence of a mucosal tear in the oropharynx leading to pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium. He was managed conservatively and made an uneventful recovery. This is a very rare but potentially life-threatening complication of blunt trauma to the head and neck. It poses diagnostic difficulties and treatment dilemmas, which are discussed.