Delayed Dysphagia as a Rare Presentation of Blunt Aortic Trauma: A Case of Aortic Pseudoaneurysm Following a Motocross Injury.

BACKGROUND

Blunt aortic injuries (BAI) are associated with a high mortality rate, with 80-90% of patients dying within the first hour after trauma. They represent the second most common cause of death in trauma patients. The most common site of aortic injury is the isthmus, typically resulting from high-energy trauma such as motor vehicle collisions or falls from significant heights.

CASE REPORT: We present a case of a 25-year-old male who fell 15 meters during a motocross accident, sustaining a hemothorax. He was treated at a trauma center and discharged. One month later, he presented with dysphagia. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) revealed a BAI with a pseudoaneurysm compressing the esophagus. The patient then underwent surgical repair.

CONCLUSION

Prompt diagnosis with CTA and timely surgical intervention are crucial in managing BAI. This case underscores the importance of considering surgical repair in situations where endovascular options are unavailable, enabling favorable outcomes and full recovery.