[Diagnostic problems in traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta. Observations on 8 surgically treated cases]

The authors report their experience concerning the diagnosis of traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta, based on a review of eight surgically treated cases. They emphasize the importance of the immediate performance of an aortography which, providing highly specific findings, permits the diagnosis of this serious lesion, which is often misrecognized. The diagnostic value of the standard chest roentgenogram is discussed, with special attention to mediastinal enlargement which (especially if associated with a CT finding of a periaortic haematoma) must lead to the performance of an aortography, even in those cases with atypical or absent symptoms. Following this diagnostic approach, an early surgical treatment of the aortic lesions, with favorable results in five out of eight cases was obtained.