Penetrating injuries of the neck: use of helical computed tomographic angiography

The diagnostic evaluation of stable patients with penetrating trauma to the neck remains controversial. Conventional angiography has traditionally been considered the gold standard for evaluation of vascular injuries. The use of angiography for stable patients with penetrating neck trauma has been questioned because of its invasive nature and reported low yield. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the use of noninvasive techniques such as helical computed tomographic (CT) angiography for the evaluation of these patients. Helical CT angiography, a low-risk, rapid, accurate, noninvasive, reproducible technique, is less expensive than conventional angiography. Helical CT angiography also can provide information about potential lesions of associated vital structures such as the cervical spine and the aerodigestive tract. This review evaluates the authors' current protocol for penetrating neck wounds and identifies indications for helical CT angiography.