Clinical Pathways
Clinical Pathways
No Soft Signs of Airway Compromise
No Soft Signs of Airway Compromise

No Soft Signs of Airway Compromise

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Decision

Concern for deeper injury (violation of platysma)?

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Yes → Perform CTA neck (Class I)
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No → No additional imaging needed (Class I)

Background

Imaging

For a patient who has any penetrating injury to the neck that violates the platysma, a CTA of the neck should be obtained to evaluate for the scope of injury. This is particularly true when there is concern for arterial or aerodigestive injuries. If a hemodynamically stable patient is being evaluated at a facility that is not a trauma center, imaging should not be performed if it will delay transfer. Early operative exploration is indicated for patients with hard signs of airway compromise.

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References
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