title: Patent ductus arteriosus masquerading as aortic transection in a trauma victim.
abstract: A high-speed motorcycle crash is a risk factor for thoracic aortic injury due to the rapid deceleration mechanism. We present a previously healthy 44-year-old man who was involved in a motorcycle accident. Initial spiral computed tomography indicated an intimal flap, which was visualized with evidence of mediastinal hemorrhage. The man was taken emergently to the operating room where a patent ductus arteriosus was seen at the location of the suspected aortic injury. No true aortic injury was appreciated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
authors.forename: William Travis
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: David K M
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Henry W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Louie
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009049:Motorcycles; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome