Traumatic aortic transection with intraluminal aortic fat: transesophageal echocardiographic characteristics and implications

Aortic transection can be a catastrophic complication of blunt chest trauma. Transesophageal echocardiography is a useful tool for assessing aortic pathology. Presented is a case of traumatic aortic transection in which periaortic fat was found within the aortic lumen. Transesophageal echocardiographic characteristics are reviewed and clinical implications discussed.