Abstract

Aortic dissection refers to tearing in intimal layer of aorta, separation of tunica media and entering the blood between the walls. Acute traumatic dissection of aorta is rarely seen after major blunt chest injury and its mortality is very high. A 37-year-old woman and a 49-year-old man, admitted with motor vehicle accident and diagnosed with aortic dissection, were presented with radiological findings. They were diagnosed as traumatic aortic dissection by computed tomography angiography due to suspected tracheal shift on chest X-ray. Although the patients have the same etiology, first case recovered thanks to emergency operation. Thoracic dissection findings of second case were vague on physical examination, his prognosis became worse and he died within minutes. If the appropriate diagnosis and treatment were performed, these patients with high mortality have a chance of living. We emphasized importance of computed tomography angiography for rapid and effective diagnosis and creating appropriate operating conditions.

Key Words: Traumatic Aortic Dissection; Thoracic Aorta; Computed Tomography Angiography.