A rare case of penetrating thoracic aortic injury.

INTRODUCTION AND

IMPORTANCE

Thoracic aortic injuries could be lethal events. Penetrating injuries to aortic are highly fatal, but these cases are rare in hospital.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 54-year-old man presented with cough for half a month and cough up blood for half a day before he went into our hospital. No obvious positive sign was detected in physical examination.

CLINICAL FINDINGS AND INVESTIGATIONS: Chest computed tomography (CT) showed positive foreign body in the mediastinum, which penetrated the left main bronchus from front to back and penetrated the thoracic aorta backwards.

INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOME: An endovascular stent graft was implanted to ensure that the penetrating aortic injury remains stable; then bronchoscopic evaluation was performed to remove the foreign body. The patient recovered uneventfully. No discomfort has been complained of during regular follow-up.

RELEVANCE AND IMPACT: Endovascular stent repair is an effective lifesaving method for patients with penetrating aortic injury and with surgical contraindications.