Carlos S. Restrepo MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Daniel Lamus MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Aftab Haq MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jorge Enrique Lopera MD, Abstract Co-Author: Consultant, Boston Scientific Corporation Consultant, W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc

Daniel Vargas MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Rajeev Suri MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Andres Garza, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ghazwan M. Faozi Kroma MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Review the direct and indirect imaging findings of traumatic injuries to the central veins Illustrate with cases the imaging features utilizing MDCT and DSA images of patients at our institution with the corresponding clinical and imaging followup. Emphasize the value of a multiphase scanning protocol to facilitate the early detection of these lethal injuries.  

The clinical presentation of the injuries to the central venous system may be indistinguishable from injury to the arterial great vessels and most often are the result of either trauma or iatrogenic causes.   MDCT with multiphase protocol MDCT, has increased the detection rate for these lesions in patients that survive the initial injury and give valuable information about injuries to adjacent structures.   The indirect imaging findings of venous injury can be equivocal (perivascular hematoma, fat stranding, and vessel wall irregularity) but may prompt an early repair of these highly lethal injuries.   Injuries to the SVC and innominate veins carry a high mortality.   Traumatic injuries to the intrathoracic portion of the IVC are always fatal and rarely imaged.   The unusual injuries to the azygos venous system manifest with morbidity and mortality that is similar to that of other great vessel injuries.

http://abstract.rsna.org/uploads/2014/14010162/14010162_kojg.pdf

Restrepo, C, Lamus, D, Haq, A, Lopera, J, Vargas, D, Suri, R, Garza, A, Kroma, G, Venous Injuries to the Thoracic Great Vessels.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14010162.html