Traumatic aortic rupture: delayed presentation with a normal chest radiograph

Traumatic aortic injury is a potentially fatal complication of blunt trauma. Patients with this entity may have a constellation of signs and symptoms and frequently have other significant injuries. The diagnosis is often suspected through abnormalities on the presenting chest radiograph. Delay in diagnosis results in increased morbidity and mortality. This report details the delayed presentation of an ambulatory patient with traumatic aortic rupture and a normal chest radiograph.