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Multidetector computed tomographic angiography (CTA) images not only vascular and aerodigestive tracts, but also surrounding soft tissue and the cervical spine in a single study. Investigators from two high-volume level 1 trauma centers prospectively evaluated a clinical protocol that incorporated CTA (40- and 64-multislice scanners) into the initial evaluation of patients with penetrating neck trauma (gunshot, shotgun, or stab wounds). A total of 453 patients aged ≥16 years were enrolled.
Patients underwent a structured clinical examination and were categorized into three groups based on the findings: (1) hard signs of injury (active bleeding, expanding or pulsatile hematoma, hemoptysis or hematemesis, air bubbling); (2) soft signs (venous …