TRAUMATIC AORTIC INJURY - DOES COMPUTED-T OMOGRAPHY PLAY A ROLE

The low positive yield from aortography in patients with suspected tra umatic aortic rupture has prompted research into CT of the mediastinum as a screening investigation which could significantly reduce the num ber of negative angiograms performed. Much of the data published to da te suggest a promising role for CT, but false negative scans have been reported and the precise false negative rate has yet to be determined . We propose an algorithm for the use of CT in suspected traumatic rup ture but emphasise that continuous monitoring of outcomes and further large studies are required before CT can become an established screeni ng technique.