Role of computed tomography scan in evaluating the widened mediastinum
Wilson, D.; Voystock, J.F.; Sariego, J.; Kerstein, M.D.
American Surgeon 60(6): 421-423
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1348 PMID: 8198332 Document Number: 430033
Thirty-eight blunt trauma patients with a suspicion of thoracic aortic injury were assessed by computed tomography (CT) scan, aortography, and chest x-ray. Twenty-eight of the 38 patients had widened mediastinum by chest x-ray; four of 13 CT scans were abnormal. No patient with a negative CT scan had aortic injury by aortogram. A normal, non-dynamic CT scan of the chest should influence one's decision-making in the need for aortography.