The CT finding of mediastinal hemorrhage alone is sensitive for traumatic aortic injury, but the finding of aortic injury is more specific.

Although many advances in trauma care have occurred, traumatic aortic injuries remain a leading cause of death in trauma patients. For those who survive long enough to receive treatment, rapid identification of injuries, surgical intervention, and definitive care are critical. Assessment findings and diagnostic imaging are both necessary to rapidly identify aortic injury and select the proper intervention. Surgical options are now available that, for the appropriate patient with aortic injury, can eliminate the need for invasive surgery, decrease complications, and decrease recovery time.