The findings of CT in a young patient with thoracic blunt trauma compatible with thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm.

Trauma to the aorta may result in:

• aortic intramural hematoma: hematoma within the wall of the aorta.

• aortic pseudoaneurysm: aortic rupture contained by adventitia or periaortic tissue.

• aortic laceration: a tear (typically transverse) in the intima which may extend through the vessel wall.

• aortic transection: laceration of all three layers of the vessel wall.

An important differential diagnosis for this patient includes ductus diverticulum and differentiation of ductus diverticulum from a pseudoaneurysm is important.