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Fatal abdominal aortic compression associated with thoracic vertebral fracture-dislocation after a short fall
Michael M Herskowitz1, Wen Wang, George Agriantonis
1Department of Radiology, Elmhurst Hospital Center, Elmhurst, NY, USA. Michael.Herskowitz@med.va.gov
Emergency Radiology
|August 4, 2004
Summary
Blunt abdominal aortic injuries are rare. This case report details a fatal instance of abdominal aortic compression linked to a T11 vertebral fracture-dislocation following a minor fall.
Area of Science:
- Trauma surgery
- Vascular surgery
- Orthopedic trauma
Background:
- Abdominal aortic injuries are infrequent complications of blunt force trauma.
- Thoracic aortic injuries are more common than abdominal aortic injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of fatal abdominal aortic compression.
- To highlight the association between vertebral fracture-dislocation and aortic injury.
Main Methods:
- Case report presentation.
- Review of medical literature.
Main Results:
- A fatal abdominal aortic compression occurred.
- The injury was associated with a T11 vertebral fracture-dislocation after a short fall.
Conclusions:
- This is the first reported case of abdominal aortic compression associated with a T11 vertebral fracture-dislocation.
- Unusual mechanisms of aortic injury should be considered in trauma patients.
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