Traumatic thoracic aorta-innominate vein fistula: a case report

Traumatic thoracic aorta-innominate vein fistulae are very rare. We present the case of a 20-year-old woman who sustained a stab wound to the left side of the chest. The physical examination was unremarkable. A chest radiograph showed a widened mediastinum, and arteriography demonstrated an arterio-venous fistula involving the thoracic aorta and the innominate vein. Operative repair was accomplished and the patient recovered.