See: [ACI-Non-fatal-strangulation-clinical-practice-guide](x-devonthink-item://55B590CF-E7EF-44C5-8CEB-835607EECC7C) - [online link](https://aci.health.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/750344/ACI-Non-fatal-strangulation-clinical-practice-guide.pdf) [Non-fatal strangulation Fact Sheet](x-devonthink-item://89492C9D-6730-4612-AEB8-83F82E07B3A2) See also: [[Domestic violence]], [[Blunt cerebrovascular injury|BCVI]], [[carotid and vertebral artery dissection]] #incomplete ## non-fatal strangulation red flags > note: these are *different* than the [[Denver]] criteria seen in [[Blunt cerebrovascular injury|BCVI]] or the “hard” and “soft” signs for [[Neck and spine trauma#Penetrating neck injury|penetrating neck injury]], but certain issues overlap ***Head/neurological*** - Neurological signs or symptoms (seizures, new focal neurological deficits) - Amnesia - Incontinence - Severe headache - Near or complete loss of consciousness - Changes in vision or sight - Petechial haemorrhages (facial/oral/conjunctival) - Mechanism of significant force ***Neck*** - Neck bruises or ligature marks - Neck swelling or tenderness - Unable to clinically clear cervical spine - Dysphonia and/or aphonia - Odynophagia ***Chest*** - Dyspnoea - Subcutaneous emphysema ## admission criteria - History of significant blunt force - Significant findings on imaging - Ongoing symptoms - Significant psychosocial distress - Vulnerable population - Children - Homeless - Elderly - Unsafe discharge setting - Consider observation if very acute presentation or otherwise indicated ## management ![[Pasted image 20251201212808.png]]