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Abstract
Subcutaneous emphysema affecting a limb in isolation is rare. Three cases of subcutaneous
emphysema caused by a sucking wound of the limb are presented. Differentiation from
infection with a gas-forming organism is imperative. This distinction can be made
if a number of factors are taken into consideration. These include, concise knowledge
of the history and mechanism of injury, and in particular, full appreciation of the
amount of energy transfer causing the wound, the macroscopic appearance of the wound,
the presence or absence of systemic symptoms, the time from injury to the development
of subcutaneous emphysema, and the radiographic appearance of the soft tissues.
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
September 22,
1994
Identification
Copyright
© 1995 Published by Elsevier Inc.