Table 3 Hard and soft signs of injury in penetrating neck injury.
Hard signs | Soft signs (non-exhaustive) |
|---|---|
Massive subcutaneous emphysema/ air bubbling through the wound | Proximity of the wound to the carotid artery or jugular vein |
Airway compromise | Non-expanding haematoma |
Expanding or pulsatile haematoma | Change in voice and/or hoarseness |
Active bleeding | Dysphagia |
Shock | Upper extremity pulse deficit |
Haematemesis/haemoptysis | Palpable crepitus |
Neurologic deficit |