Air leakage into soft tissues, such as after neck trauma, is described by which term?

• A. Subcutaneous emphysema
• B. Pneumomediastinum
• C. Hematoma
• D. Edema

Answer: (A)

Air in the soft tissues after trauma is subcutaneous emphysema. When air leaks from a ruptured airway or lung, it can travel into the subcutaneous layers of the neck and face, producing swelling with a crackling, crepitus sensation on palpation. This finding points to an underlying airway or lung injury and often prompts evaluation for potential tracheal or bronchial injury or pneumothorax.

This is different from pneumomediastinum, which is air in the mediastinal space, not primarily within the soft tissues. Hematoma is a blood collection causing swelling, and edema refers to fluid accumulation. The description of air leaking into soft tissues specifically identifies subcutaneous emphysema.