CTA signs for blunt thoracic aortic injury: a review of 37 cases / 中华急诊医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To review computed tomographic angiography (CTA) signs and its potential use in the diagnose of blunt thoracic aortic injury Methods We reviewed 37 cases with blunt thoracic aortic injury (TAI) confirmed by surgery or aortography in Chinese PLA General Hospital emergency department from June 2004 to June 2014.CTA were performed on these patients,and CTA images were analyzed retrospectively to obtain characteristic CTA signs of blunt thoracic aortic injury.Results Of the 37 cases,the blunt injury in aortic isthmus were 83.8％ (31/37),aortic arch 5.4％ (2/37),descending aorta 8.1％ (3/37),and ascending aorta 2.7％ (1/37),respectively.CTA signs of thoracic aortic injury manifested as intimal flap in 34 patients (91.8％),abnormal aortic contour or cavity in 37 cases (100％),arterial contraction in 17 cases (45.9％),aortic dissection in 10 cases (27.0％),pseudoaneurysm in 21 cases (56.7％),thrombosis in 1 case (2.7％).Conclusions CTA signs could be used to facilitate the diagnosis of blunt thoracic aortic injury with a qualitative diagnostic value.