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A case of an ascending aortic injury caused by a fall from height is presented. The patient had a suspicion of this injury identified on chest x ray and computed tomography (CT) scan. Subsequent aortography was necessary to clarify further the type and location of injury. This case highlights the potential difference in management between ascending aortic injuries and more common descending aortic injuries (in which diagnosis and choice of treatment can be based on CT alone). After CT has identified a possible ascending aortic injury, aortography is needed because CT images of this region are less diagnostic and clear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case of an ascending aortic injury caused by a fall from height is presented. The patient had a suspicion of this injury identified on chest ray and computed tomography (CT) scan. Subsequent aortography was necessary to clarify further the type and location of injury. This case highlights the potential difference in management between ascending aortic injuries and more common descending aortic injuries (in which diagnosis and choice of treatment can be based on CT alone). After CT has identified a possible ascending aortic injury, aortography is needed because CT images of this region are less diagnostic and clear. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A case is presented in which a knife wound to the head was initially assessed as inconsequential and later proved to be significant. This case illustrates the necessity of exploring scalp wounds to assess for possible skull fractures and of using the history to direct management. It also highlights the requirement for thorough guidelines for use by junior staff and for the staff to apply them with some degree of latitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a case in which the injuries sustained by a man who had been stabbed in the head was initially evaluated as inconsequential and subsequently proved to be significant. His wound was sutured at the emergency department (ED) without his having to undergo diagnostic imaging. Eleven days later he returned to the ED with a severe headache and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of his head showed a hematoma in the left cerebellar hemisphere. Exploration of head wounds before suturing is recommended.