Unique presentation of impaction of glass fragments in the buccal, submasseteric and parotid spaces subsequent to road traffic accident

BMJ Case Rep. 2025 May 2;18(5):e258942. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2023-258942.

ABSTRACT

Penetrating glass injuries in the facial region represent a very rare and complex variety of trauma. Cases of glass foreign bodies in the orbital tissue or the eyeball have been reported. Scattered glass foreign bodies in both the superficial and deep layers of the neck have been reported. However, no cases, to our knowledge, have been reported for foreign body impaction over the cheek region.Occasionally, the foreign glass particles can be retained in the anatomic spaces. These are mostly the result of road traffic accidents or by interpersonal violence. These penetrating injuries can result in damage to vital structures. Examinations for injuries to facial nerve branches, parotid gland and parotid duct are of paramount importance. Here, we report an unusual case of penetrating injury over the left cheek caused by broken wind shield glass in a road traffic accident.

PMID:40316284 | DOI:10.1136/bcr-2023-258942