Minimal aortic injury, increasingly diagnosed, and still potentially difficult to manage: A case report

A 50-year-old man fell 4 m, sustaining multiple fractures involving the pelvis and chest. There was no previous medical history or family history of note. Computerized tomography showed a small filling defect in the ascending aorta, as well as multiple rib and pelvic fractures. Due to the minimal nature of the aortic injury, he was managed conservatively. Repeat CT scans at 1 month and 3 months showed complete resolution of the lesion. We discuss the case and the phenomenon of "minimal aortic injury."