title: Multidetector Computed Tomographic Angiography (MDCTA) for Penetrating Neck Injuries.
abstract: Evaluation of patients after penetrating neck injury has evolved over time. Previously, location of injury and symptoms were used to determine management. The contemporary management of penetrating neck injuries relies on physical examination. Patients with hard signs of vascular or aerodigestive tract injury require immediate operation, regardless of location of injury. Those with no signs can be observed. For the remainder with soft signs, multidetector computed tomographic angiography (MDCTA) is a highly sensitive and specific screening modality for evaluating the vasculature and aerodigestive structures in the neck. Utilizing MDCTA, the patient can be safely directed towards operative intervention, observation, or further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Los Angeles County Medical Center-University of Southern California, Division of Trauma Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pasley
authors.forename: Regan J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Inaba
keywords: Angiography; clinical decision-making; computed tomography; neck injury; penetrating trauma
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