Skip to main content
Log in

False-positive aortography following blunt chest trauma: Case report

  • Published:
CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We describe a patient in whom thoracic aortography performed following blunt chest trauma revealed what appeared to be a traumatic tear of the proximal descending aorta. As the patient initially refused surgery, aortography was repeated 18 days later, confirming these findings. At thoracic aortotomy the aorta appeared normal; there was no hematoma or tear. We believe this to be the first reported case of false-positive aortography following blunt chest trauma (see Note added in proof).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Stark P (1984) Traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta: A Review. CRC Crit Rev Diagn Imaging 21(3):229–255

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Fisher RG, Hadlock F, Ben-Menachem Y (1981) Laceration of the thoracic aorta and brachiocephalic arteries by blunt trauma: Report of 54 cases and review of the literature. Radiol Clin North Am 19;1:91–110

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Parmley LF, Mattingly TW, Manion WC (1958) Non-penetrating traumatic injury of the aorta. Circulation 17:1086–1101

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Turney SZ, Attar S, Ayella R (1976) Traumatic rupture of the aorta: A five-year experience. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 72(5):727–734

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Sanborn JC, Heitzman ER, Markarian B (1976) Traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta: Roentgen-pathological correlations. Radiology 95:293–298

    Google Scholar 

  6. Lundell CJ, Quinn MF, Flinck EJ (1985) Traumatic laceration of the ascending aorta—Angiographic assessment. AJR 145:715–719

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Kirsch MM, Behrendt DM, Orringer MD (1976) The treatment of acute traumatic rupture of the aorta: A ten year experience. Ann Surg 184:308–314

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Faraci RM, Westcott JL (1977) Dissecting hematoma of the aorta secondary to blunt chest trauma. Radiology 123:569–574

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Bennet DE, Cherry JK (1967) The natural history of traumatic aneurysm of the aorta. Surgery 61 (4):516–519

    Google Scholar 

  10. Livoni JP, Phillips HE (1980) Angiographic false positive diagnosis of carotid artery dissection. Radiology 135:115–116

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Morse SS, Glickman MG, Greenwood LH et al. (1988) Traumatic aortic rupture: False-positive diagnosis due to atypical ductus diverticulum. AJR 150:793–796

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Orron, D.E., Porter, D.H., Kim, D. et al. False-positive aortography following blunt chest trauma: Case report. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 11, 132–135 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02577102

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02577102

Key words

Navigation