대한흉부영상의학회 Korean Society of Thoracic Radiology

Discussion

Diagnosis With Brief Discussion

Diagnosis

traumatic rupture of descending aorta

Radiologic Findings

Brief Review

In this case, chest radiograph shows superior mediastinal widening, haziness of the left hemithorax suggesting hemothorax, slight deviation of trachea to right side (not well-seen in this screen). CT scan with intravenous contrast taken one day later reveals diffuse increased attenuation in mediastinal fat suggesting resolving hematoma or hemorrhage, and contour deformity and abrupt change of diameter of descending thoracic aorta on consecutive two CT images. This is traumatic injury of thoracic aorta.
Aortography shows aortic transection and pseudoaneurysm formation.

References

1. Creasy JD, Chilles C, Routh WD, Dyer RB. Overview of traumatic injury of the thoracic aorta. Radiographics 1997;17:27-45
2. Marotta R, Franchetto AA. The CT appearance of aortic transection. AJR 1996;166:647-651

Keywords

Vascular, Trauma, Localized fibrous tumor of the pleura with low malignant potential