title: Penetrating injuries of the thoracic aorta and brachiocephalic arteries: angiographic findings in 18 cases.
abstract: Eighteen patients with surgically proved penetrating injuries to the thoracic aorta or brachiocephalic arteries were evaluated preoperatively with angiography. Fifteen injuries resulted from direct penetration of a vessel and three were concussion or blast injuries. Arteriography correctly showed vessel damage in 16 (89%), although one was identified only in retrospect. There were two false-negative examinations. False aneurysms were present in nine. Other findings included occlusion, wall irregularity, and an arterial-arterial fistula. Our results show that angiography is an accurate means of detecting penetrating injuries to the thoracic aorta or brachiocephalic arteries.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ben-Menachem
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000792:Angiography; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D016122:Brachiocephalic Trunk / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*