Discussion
Diagnosis With Brief Discussion
- Diagnosis
- Esophageal perforation (Boerhaave’s syndrome)
- Radiologic Findings
- Chest radiograph shows large amount of air-collections with fluid level in the lower mid mediastinum. Linear air-strands are noted from the mediastinum to the neck. Hydropneumothorax is noted in L lung and some pleural effusion is noted in the RLL.
Chest CT show large amount of air-collection around the esophagus and hydropneumothorax.
On operation, there was about 4cm sized, vertical rupture of left lateral wall of lower esophagus.
Patient had a history of vomiting after alcohol drinking before onset of symptom.
- Brief Review
- A sudden increase in intraluminal pressure of the esophagus causes a full thickness perforation of esophagus with mediastinitis. Most cases result from violent retching or vomiting after an alcoholic binge. Occasionally, however, spontaneous rupture of the esophagus may result from other causes of increased intra-esophageal pressure such as coughing, weightlifting, childbirth, defecation, seizures, status asthmaticus and blunt trauma to the chest or abdomen.
Esophageal perforations usually occur as 1 to 4cm, vertically oriented linear tears on the left posterolateral wall of the distal esophagus just above the esophagogastric junction. The distal esophagus is most vulnerable because of the lack of supporting mediastinal structures in this region and left side of esophagus is more vulnerable because right side of esophagus is protected by descending thoracic aorta.
The prognosis is related to the interval between the perforation and the initiation therapy.
- References
- White CS, Templeton PA, Attar S. Esophageal perforation. AJR 1993; 160; 767.
- Keywords
- Esophagus, Mediastinum, Trauma,