The role of arteriography in acute penetrating trauma to the extremities.

The role of arteriography was studied in a series of 98 patients presenting with acute penetrating trauma to their extremities. We concluded: (1) Following "proximity only" injury, arteriography is indicated since vessel damage may occur despite a lack of either signs or symptoms; proximity only injuries, however, do not require emergency angiography. (2) Negative arteriography is reliable in excluding arterial injury, and (3) not all angiographic abnormalities require surgery.