[A case of complete circumferential aortic rupture due to blunt chest trauma]

A case of complete circumferential rupture of the thoracic aorta due to blunt chest trauma is presented. A 46-year-old woman was admitted after a traffic accident. The admission chest X-ray film demonstrated rib fractures and mediastinal widening. CT scanning and aortography were performed, but acute rupture of the aorta was not detected. Twelve days later, aortography was performed again and an aneurysm was noted at the aortic isthmus. Surgery was performed immediately and aorta was found to be completely disrupted for a length of 1 cm. A short segmental prosthesis was interposed between the two ends of the aorta under temporary bypass. Patients with aortic rupture due to blunt chest trauma are increasing, but only a few cases treated in the acute stage have been reported. To our knowledge, this is the 6th case of complete aortic disruption which has been treated successfully in the acute stage in Japan.