A comparison of presenting symptoms and signs to CT-angiogram and contrast swallow in penetrating neck injury

For patients with soft signs of vascular injury there is room for clinical observation without routine imaging. Similarly, patients with soft signs of oesophageal injury, such as proximity, dysphagia, dysphonia, odynophagia, retropharyngeal air on CT and hematemesis may be admitted for observation rather than routinely imaged, provided they can access surgical care if they fail non-operative management.