Traumatic Aortic Injury: Sensitivity and Specificity

Introduction: Also known as Acute Traumatic Aortic Injury, Aortic Rupture, Aortic transection. Represents injury to the aorta after trauma. In blunt trauma, typically occurs in the juxtaductal region.

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The sensitivity and specificity of findings for Traumatic Aortic Injury are listed below. See the left navigation bar to change the display.

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Finding	Sensitivity	Specificity	Comments, Study
Angiography	83%	100%	will miss minimal aortic injuries such as an intramural hematoma or limited intramural flap Study: Anesthesiology. 2000 Dec;93(6):1373-7. PMID: 11149428
Aortic nob obliteration	No accuracy specified.		Seen on CXR Study: no study specified.
Apical cap	No accuracy specified.		Seen on CXR Study: no study specified.
CT angiography Duplicate	90%	99%	direct signs of aortic injury (e.g. contour abnormality, flap) Study: Radiology. 1996 Aug;200(2):413-22. PMID: 8685335
CT angiography Duplicate	100%	87%	mediastinal hematoma only, without direct signs of aortic injury Study: Radiology. 1996 Aug;200(2):413-22. PMID: 8685335
Hemomediastinum	No accuracy specified.		Seen on CXR Study: no study specified.
NG tube, Deviated	No accuracy specified.		Seen on CXR Study: no study specified.
Trans-Esophageal Echocardiography	98%	100%	Study: Anesthesiology. 2000 Dec;93(6):1373-7. PMID: 11149428
Widened mediastinum	53%	59%	Note that around 40% (!) of 'widened' mediastinums seen on supine radiographs will appear normal on upright views. Study: Trauma.org http://www.trauma.org/archive/thoracic/CHESTaorta.html