To perform or not to perform fasciotomy? A rare case report.

Abstract

Subcutaneous emphysema, caused by the presence of air or gas in subcutaneous tissues, can be infectious or noninfectious. A thorough clinical evaluation, including both physical examination and radiological imaging, is required to distinguish benign subcutaneous emphysema from necrotizing soft tissue infections. In this article, we report a 12-year-old female patient with benign subcutaneous emphysema of the upper extremity and highlight the importance of an accurate diagnosis to avoid unnecessary surgical intervention. The rarity of benign subcutaneous emphysema in non-traumatic and non-infectious cases underscores the need for clinicians to differentiate it from more severe conditions, such as life-threatening infections. Conservative treatment is typically sufficient for benign subcutaneous emphysema, with fasciotomies reserved for emergencies. Proper diagnosis and treatment are essential to avoid unnecessary surgical procedures.