Surgical removal from the descending aorta of a floating thrombus caused by blunt chest trauma.

A 44-year-old woman presented with a recurrent peripheral embolism. Her past history was remarkable for blunt chest trauma 7 years before presentation. Transoesophageal echocardiography showed a floating mass in the descending aorta. Operative and pathological findings revealed an aged thrombus. Reliable diagnostic methods and appropriate treatment can prevent further embolic events.