Stab wounds to the neck: role of angiography

Angiographic findings in 61 stab wounds to the neck were correlated with specific clinical findings. Eighteen of the stab wounds were associated with one or more major physical findings that included (a) pulse deficit, (b) active bleeding or expanding hematoma, (c) bruit or murmur, (d) neurologic deficit, or (e) hypotension. Of these 18 wounds, only two involved significant vascular injuries. The other 43 stab wounds were associated with minor physical findings, with the only indications for angiography being nonexpanding hematoma or proximity of trauma to major vessels. None of these 43 wounds involved significant vascular injury.