INTERNAL MAMMARY ARTERY INJURY, ANTERIOR MEDIASTINAL HEMATOMA, AND CARDIAC COMPROMISE AFTER BLUNT CHEST TRAUMA

A rare case of blunt chest trauma resulting in internal mammary artery hemorrhage and cardiac tamponade is presented. Thoracotomy revealed a nterior mediastinal hemorrhage but no pericardial hematoma. The signif icance of chest wall vessel hemorrhage as a cause of widened mediastin um is reiterated. The importance of accurate angiographic assessment a nd vigilant care of victims of blunt chest trauma who present with a w idened mediastinum is emphasized.