Successful Surgical Treatment of Two Cases of Blunt Traumatic Rupture of the Thoracic Aorta Diagnosed by Enhanced Helical CT

Abstract

Emergency surgical repairs were performed successfully in two cases of blunt traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta. Case 1 was a 32 year-oldman, and case 2 was a 50 year-old man. Two patients were injured in separate traffic accidents and suffered aortic ruptures just distal to the isthmus. The diagnoses were made only by enhanced helical CT. Aortic repairs were accomplished with the aid of left heart bypass. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiogrphy, which was done in case 2, was very useful in delineating the site of rupture and coincident aortic dissection. Prosthetic graft interpositions were performed. There were no postoperative paraplegia in either case. Rapid diagnosis and urgent definitive surgical repair are crucial for the successful outcome of blunt traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta.