Which symptom is associated with subcutaneous emphysema?

• A. Nausea
• B. Crepitus in the neck
• C. Headache
• D. Chest tightness

Answer: (B)

Subcutaneous emphysema shows up as crepitus—a crackling, bubbly feel you can palpate under the skin, most often in the neck and chest where air has seeped into the tissues. This crackling sensation is the giveaway sign that air is trapped beneath the skin, which can happen after chest trauma, pneumothorax, or other procedures that introduce air into the soft tissues. The other symptoms listed aren’t specific to subcutaneous emphysema; nausea, headache, or chest tightness don’t directly indicate air in the subcutaneous tissues. So crepitus in the neck is the best clue of subcutaneous emphysema.