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False-positive aortography following blunt chest trauma: case report
1Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Hospital-Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215.
Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology
|June 1, 1988
Summary
A patient initially diagnosed with a traumatic aortic tear after blunt chest trauma experienced a false-positive aortography. Subsequent imaging and surgery revealed a normal aorta, highlighting potential diagnostic inaccuracies in trauma cases.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Trauma Care
Background:
- Blunt chest trauma can cause serious aortic injuries.
- Thoracic aortography is a key diagnostic tool for suspected aortic tears.
- Accurate diagnosis is critical for timely and appropriate patient management.
Observation:
- A patient presented with suspected traumatic aortic injury after blunt chest trauma.
- Initial thoracic aortography suggested a tear in the proximal descending aorta.
- The patient initially declined surgical intervention.
Findings:
- A repeat thoracic aortography 18 days later confirmed the initial findings.
- Surgical exploration via thoracic aortotomy revealed a normal aorta with no evidence of hematoma or tear.
- This case represents the first reported instance of a false-positive aortography following blunt chest trauma.
Implications:
- Diagnostic imaging in trauma settings requires careful interpretation to avoid false positives.
- False-positive results can lead to unnecessary interventions or patient anxiety.
- Further research into the causes and detection of false-positive aortography in trauma is warranted.