title: Acute posttraumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta: the role of angiography in a 7-year review.
abstract: Between 1983 and 1989, 15 patients with acute rupture of the thoracic aorta by blunt trauma were seen. Superior mediastinal widening and obscuration of the aortic arch were the most important findings on chest radiograph. Computed tomography examinations in 7 patients showed mediastinal hematomas but did not reveal aortic lesions. Definitive diagnosis of traumatic aortic rupture was established by aortography in all 15 patients. Intraarterial digital subtraction angiography proved to be as accurate as conventional film aortography and saved time.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiology, University of Milan, Ospedale San Paolo, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pozzato
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fedriga
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Donatelli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gattoni
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D001027:Aortography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications