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Which part of the aorta does penetrating injury most commonly affect?
Most commonly the abdominal aorta is injured, although thoracic aortic injury has a higher mortality.
Conclusion
- The knife tract extends from anterior first inter-costal space through the anterior segment of the left upper lobe to eventually reach the mediastinum where there is evidence of a traumatic aortic injury, with active extravasation of contrast from the lateral wall of the aortic arch between the origins of the left common carotid and left subclavian arteries.
- There is extensive mediastinal haematoma tracking down along the aortic root. Small haemopericardium also noted. The anterior mediastinal haematoma distorts the right ventricle, and probably causes elevation of right heart pressures, as there is reflux of intravenous contrast down a dilated IVC and into the hepatic veins.
- Small to moderate size left haemopneumothorax with associated left basal compressive atelectasis. No osseous injury evident.
- Left anterior chest wall subcutaneous emphysema noted.