Late aortic injury: a rare complication of a posterior rib fracture.

Abstract

Traumatic rib fractures are common and are often associated with a hemothorax or pneumothorax. Rib fractures can also be a marker of severe trauma, and aortic transection is a well-described cause of death, particularly after a deceleration injury. However, direct aortic laceration by a fractured rib segment is extremely rare. We describe the late presentation of such a case and discuss the possible mechanism of injury.