Right-sided pleural effusion in spontaneous esophageal perforation

Spontaneous esophageal perforation (Boerhaave's syndrome) is a rare clinical entity in which overindulgence in a large meal precedes vomiting and chest pain. Early diagnosis and aggressive management are keys to minimizing the morbidity and mortality. We report an unusual presentation of this already uncommon occurrence in a 33-year-old female. She presented to the Emergency Department with severe chest pain following vomiting with hematemesis after a large meal. The initial chest radiograph showed up nothing in particular. Dyspnea developed two days later, and a right-sided pleural effusion was seen on chest x-ray. Panendoscopy was highly suggestive of Boerhaave's syndrome. She underwent emergency operation. After three months of hospital care, she was discharged in relatively good condition. This case of right-sided pleural effusion extends the reported description of Boerhaave's syndrome.