Facial high-pressure injection injury with air in a child
Dublin Core
Title
Facial high-pressure injection injury with air in a child
Subject
High-pressure injection, Facial trauma, Orbital injection injury, Air injection, Conservative treatment,
Antibiotic treatment
Antibiotic treatment
Description
Abstract
Background High-pressure injection injuries are rare injuries and are frequently underestimated due to the limited
external damage. Because of their association with occupational activities, these injuries are predominantly seen
in hands. Facial involvement in such traumas is extremely rare. The difference in facial anatomy compared to the
extremities demands careful consideration of both associated complications and treatment options.
Case A 6-year-old girl with no significant medical history was presented to the Emergency Department with a high-
pressure injection injury to her right eye with a high-pressure cleaner. This resulted in injection of air at a pressure of
8 bar into the eye. She developed significant subcutaneous emphysema in the facial and neck regions. Additionally,
intraorbital and intracranial emphysema were identified without any fractures. Treatment consisted of inpatient
observation and antibiotic treatment. The patient was discharged after one day of observation for continued
antibiotic treatment at home. Two weeks later, the patient had no residual symptoms and there were no signs of
secondary infection.
Conclusion High-pressure injection injuries to the face are rare and demand a different approach compared to the
most common high-pressure injection injuries to the extremities. The nature of the injected material is paramount
in choosing the appropriate treatment. This case illustrates that a high-pressure injection injury with air in the facial
region, leading to extensive emphysema, can be managed conservatively with antibiotic therapy and inpatient
observation.
Keywords High-pressure injection, Facial trauma, Orbital injection injury, Air injection, Conservative treatment,
Antibiotic treatment
Background High-pressure injection injuries are rare injuries and are frequently underestimated due to the limited
external damage. Because of their association with occupational activities, these injuries are predominantly seen
in hands. Facial involvement in such traumas is extremely rare. The difference in facial anatomy compared to the
extremities demands careful consideration of both associated complications and treatment options.
Case A 6-year-old girl with no significant medical history was presented to the Emergency Department with a high-
pressure injection injury to her right eye with a high-pressure cleaner. This resulted in injection of air at a pressure of
8 bar into the eye. She developed significant subcutaneous emphysema in the facial and neck regions. Additionally,
intraorbital and intracranial emphysema were identified without any fractures. Treatment consisted of inpatient
observation and antibiotic treatment. The patient was discharged after one day of observation for continued
antibiotic treatment at home. Two weeks later, the patient had no residual symptoms and there were no signs of
secondary infection.
Conclusion High-pressure injection injuries to the face are rare and demand a different approach compared to the
most common high-pressure injection injuries to the extremities. The nature of the injected material is paramount
in choosing the appropriate treatment. This case illustrates that a high-pressure injection injury with air in the facial
region, leading to extensive emphysema, can be managed conservatively with antibiotic therapy and inpatient
observation.
Keywords High-pressure injection, Facial trauma, Orbital injection injury, Air injection, Conservative treatment,
Antibiotic treatment
Creator
S. A. Simonis1* and D. H. de Lange2
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-024-00756-5
Date
2024
Contributor
Peri Irawan
Format
PDF
Language
ENGLISH
Type
TEXT
Files
Collection
Citation
S. A. Simonis1* and D. H. de Lange2, “Facial high-pressure injection injury with air in a child,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 11, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12527.