[A case of subacute traumatic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta with rare symptom of atelectasis in the left lung].

A case of subacute traumatic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta with atelectasis in the left lung is described. A 17-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of traumatic shock. Radiographs revealed multiple fractures of upper and lower extremities, but on the chest roentgenogram there was no abnormal finding without slightly widened mediastinum. Next chest roentgenogram, four days later, showed left pleural effusion, atelectasis in the left lung and tracheal shift to the left. By the following examination of CT and DSA, the patient was diagnosed as a traumatic aneurysm at the aortic isthmus. The graft interposition of the descending aorta was performed with help of temporary bypass. He was making satisfactory progress after the operation. Reports about the operation of traumatic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta in subacute phase are relatively rare compared with those in chronic phase. No case, except this case, with tracheal shift to the left because of atelectasis in the left lung has been reported previously in Japan. It must be considered that the trachea may be shifted to the left by atelectasis of the left lung like this case.