Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 16, 2026

An Approach to Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Evaluation of the Abdominal Aorta
07:12

An Approach to Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Evaluation of the Abdominal Aorta

Published on: September 8, 2023

[Emergency operation for traumatic thoracic aortic rupture diagnosed by enhanced chest computed tomography; report of

Hiromichi Fujii1, Y Tsutsumi, H Ohashi

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fukui Cardiovascular Center, Fukui, Japan.

Kyobu Geka. the Japanese Journal of Thoracic Surgery
|November 12, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Blunt chest trauma can cause fatal thoracic aortic injury. Enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans can effectively diagnose aortic rupture, enabling successful surgery without invasive aortography.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Trauma Surgery

Background:

  • Thoracic aortic injury from blunt trauma is a critical surgical emergency.
  • Traditionally, aortography was essential for diagnosing these injuries.
  • Computed tomography (CT) has emerged as a superior imaging modality.

Observation:

  • A 64-year-old male sustained blunt chest trauma in a traffic accident.
  • Initial chest X-ray raised suspicion of thoracic aortic rupture.
  • Enhanced CT revealed contrast leakage near the aortic arch's arterial ligament.

Findings:

  • The patient underwent immediate surgery due to critical condition, bypassing aortography.
  • A Y-shaped tear in the distal aortic arch was identified and repaired with a prosthetic graft.
  • The surgery utilized left heart bypass with a heparin-coated circuit and centrifugal pump.

Implications:

  • Enhanced chest CT is a sufficiently diagnostic tool for thoracic aortic trauma.
  • Non-invasive CT imaging can expedite diagnosis and treatment in critical trauma cases.
  • This case highlights the potential to avoid invasive aortography in managing thoracic aortic injuries.

More Related Videos

Novel and Innovative Hybrid Technique for Type A Aortic Dissection06:26

Novel and Innovative Hybrid Technique for Type A Aortic Dissection

Published on: March 28, 2025

Modified Octopus Technique for Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm04:56

Modified Octopus Technique for Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Published on: August 1, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Flail Chest-II01:26

Flail Chest-II

Managing flail chest, a condition characterized by a segment of the chest wall moving independently from the rest of the thoracic cage, requires a comprehensive approach. It includes a thorough assessment of the patient's condition, a diagnostic evaluation to determine the extent of the injury, and the implementation of appropriate medical interventions tailored to the individual's needs.
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:
Pneumothorax-I01:26

Pneumothorax-I

A pneumothorax is a condition where air builds up in the space between the lung and the chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. This condition arises when air enters the space between the parietal and visceral pleura, disrupting the negative pressure essential for lung inflation. This can lead to a partial or complete collapse of the lung.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:22

Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Aortic valve regurgitation (AR) occurs when the aortic valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to flow backward from the aorta into the left ventricle. This backflow can result in two distinct clinical presentations: acute and chronic AR, each characterized by its own set of symptoms and physical findings.Acute Aortic RegurgitationAcute AR presents with a sudden onset of severe symptoms. Patients typically experience profound dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain, and signs of left...
Acute Coronary Syndrome I: Introduction01:30

Acute Coronary Syndrome I: Introduction

Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) encompasses a spectrum of heart conditions caused by sudden obstruction of coronary arteries, typically resulting from the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque and subsequent thrombus (blood clot) formation. This obstruction can lead to partial or complete blockage of blood flow, causing varying degrees of myocardial ischemia or infarction.ACS includes the following clinical entities:Unstable Angina (UA)Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI)ST-Elevation...
Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:21

Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Thoracic, aortic arch and abdominal aneurysms are significant vascular conditions that can present with various clinical manifestations and lead to serious complications. Understanding these manifestations and the appropriate diagnostic studies is essential for effective management and treatment.Thoracic Aortic AneurysmsThoracic aortic aneurysms often remain asymptomatic until they reach a size that impinges on adjacent structures. They typically cause deep, diffuse chest pain that radiates to...
Aneurysm IV: Nursing Management01:22

Aneurysm IV: Nursing Management

Vigilant monitoring for aneurysm rupture is essential for patients undergoing aortic surgery.Preoperative Nursing ManagementContinuously monitor the patient for manifestations of aneurysm rupture, such as pallor, weakness, tachycardia, hypotension, abdominal, back, groin, or periumbilical pain, changes in consciousness, and a pulsating abdominal mass. Regularly assess the patient's peripheral pulses.Instruct the patient to consume a clear liquid diet the day before surgery and administer...