AORTIC INJURY DUE TO PARAGLIDING: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

A 64-year-old male fell from an altitude of 10 m while paragliding after stalling due to the wind. The purpose of this case report is to describe the outcomes after multiple injuries sustained during a paragliding accident, including a potentially life-threating injury to the thoracic aorta. The subject sustained a bite wound on his tongue, injuries to his chest (left side) and back, and a right forearm deformity. Enhanced whole body computed tomography (CT) revealed fractures of the bilateral laminae of the second and third cervical bones, right first rib, the tenth thoracic vertebral body (compression type), second lumbar vertebral body (burst type) and the right radius, Other injuries included an injury to the thoracic aortic arch and the presence of intraabdominal fluid collection without perforation of the digestive tract. Endovascular treatment was selected for the aortic injury because of multiple injuries. Immediate management included hypotensive rate control therapy using calcium and a beta blocker. On the fourth hospital day, the subject underwent deployment of a stent-graft to the aorta and subsequent surgical immobilization for the lumbar burst fracture. He also underwent surgical immobilization of the radial fracture and was discharged on the 28th hospital day. First responders or physicians should consider the possibility of aortic injury when treating patients who suffer falls while paragliding and provide appropriate management. Failure to provide appropriate management of an aortic injury could result in death.

Level of evidence: 4.

Keywords: Aortic injury; multiple fractures; paragliding.

Figure 1.

Enhanced chest computed tomography (CT) on arrival. The CT scan shows pseudo-aneurysm at the aortic arch (arrow).