Traumatic Laceration of the Ascending Aorta Detected by Transesophageal Echocardiography

Abstract The diagnosis of aortic injury after blunt chest trauma is of utmost importance to emergency physicians. We present a case in which transesophageal echocardiography was successful in diagnosing a transectional intimal tear on the posterior wall of the ascending aorta. Potential usefulness of transesophageal echocardiography is discussed. [Catoire P, Bonnet F, Delaunay L, Liu N, Beydon L, Romano P,Guerrini P, Reynaud Ph: Traumatic laceration of the ascending aorta detected by transesophageal echocardiography. Ann Emerg Med February 1994;23:356-359.]