A rare case of penetrating thoracic aortic injury

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Thoracic aortic injuries could be lethal events. Penetrating injuries to aortic are highly fatal, but these cases are rare in hospital. CASE PRESENTATION: A 54-year-old man presented with cough for half a month and cough up blood for half a day before he went into our hospital. No obvious positive sign was detected in physical examination. CLINICAL FINDINGS AND INVESTIGATIONS: Chest computed tomography (CT) showed positive foreign body in the mediastinum, which penetrated the left main bronchus from front to back and penetrated the thoracic aorta backwards. INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOME: An endovascular stent graft was implanted to ensure that the penetrating aortic injury remains stable; then bronchoscopic evaluation was performed to remove the foreign body. The patient recovered uneventfully. No discomfort has been complained of during regular follow-up. RELEVANCE AND IMPACT: Endovascular stent repair is an effective lifesaving method for patients with penetrating aortic injury and with surgical contraindications.