[Traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta]

A man aged 19 years sustained multiple injuries on account of deceleration. Radiography of the thorax revealed increase in width of the mediastinum. Aortography after 1 1/2 days revealed pseudocoarctation of the aorta corresponding to rupture of the aortic isthmus. This investigation should be undertaken on broad indications in patients with relevant injuries and increase in width of the mediastinum.