What sensation indicates the presence of air in soft tissues?

Subcutaneous emphysema is the correct choice because it refers to the presence of air trapped in the subcutaneous tissue, which can occur as a result of trauma, surgical procedures, or certain medical conditions. In the context of trauma, air can enter the soft tissues when there's a rupture or disruption of the respiratory tract or thoracic cavity, leading to air escaping from the lungs into surrounding tissue. This condition is characterized by a distinctive sensation of crepitus, which is a crackling feeling under the skin when palpated, indicating that air is present in an abnormal location.

Other sensations or conditions listed do not directly correlate with the feeling of air in soft tissues. Abdominal tenderness may indicate internal injury or inflammation, hyperesthesia refers to an increased sensitivity to stimuli but does not specifically indicate air presence, and vascular occlusion involves blockage within the blood vessels, which would not relate to air in the soft tissues. Thus, the specific indication of air in soft tissues is properly captured by the term subcutaneous emphysema.