skip to main content

Traumatic thoracic aortic injury — ACEM Fellowship MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardTraumaTraumatic thoracic aortic injuryACEM Fellowship

A 58-year-old driver presents to a Melbourne trauma centre, triage category 1, after rapid deceleration into a tree. BP 98/60, HR 118. Chest X-ray shows widened mediastinum and left apical cap. Pelvic FAST is negative and lactate is 4.5 mmol/L after initial resuscitation. What is the most appropriate investigation?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B — CT angiography of the thoracic aorta

Rapid deceleration with widened mediastinum and apical cap suggests aortic injury; CT angiography is the key investigation after stabilisation.

Reference: ACEM trauma curriculum; ATLS thoracic trauma