Chronic Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Presenting 29 Years following Trauma

Blunt, nonpenetrating injuries of the thoracic aorta are uncommon and associated with a high mortality rate within the first hour. Aortic injury is missed in 1-2% of patients that survive to hospital, and a chronic thoracic aortic aneurysm may subsequently form. We present a case in which a chronic...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Sarah Miller, Prashant Kumar, Rene Van den Bosch, Adib Khanafer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2015-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Surgery
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/470917
Description
Summary:Blunt, nonpenetrating injuries of the thoracic aorta are uncommon and associated with a high mortality rate within the first hour. Aortic injury is missed in 1-2% of patients that survive to hospital, and a chronic thoracic aortic aneurysm may subsequently form. We present a case in which a chronic thoracic aortic aneurysm was diagnosed 29 years following a significant motor vehicle accident. We discuss the epidemiology, presentation, and management of this uncommon consequence of blunt, nonpenetrating aortic injury. Our case illustrates an important clinical lesson; a past medical history of trauma should not be overlooked at any patient assessment.
ISSN:2090-6900
2090-6919