Aneurysms of the ascending aorta or transverse arch presenting to the left of the spine.

Aneurysms of the ascending aorta usually present to the right of the spine. Four patients with aneurysms of the ascending aorta or transverse arch presented to the left of the spine on the posteroanterior chest roentgenogram. On the lateral chest x-ray film, these were associated with the ascending aorta, and the apparent discrepancy led to diagnostic difficulty. All cases were proven by aortography and/or surgery.