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[Boerhaave's Syndrome. Case report and literature review]
José Luis Martínez-Ordaz1, Gilberto Bernabé Cornejo-López, Roberto Blanco-Benavides
1Servicio de Gastrocirugía, Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México, D.F.
Objective:
Report of a case of spontaneous perforation of esophagus in a 70-year-old patient.
Background:
Boerhaave syndrome or spontaneous esophageal perforation is a life-threatening condition that demands early diagnosis and urgent management. Without surgical intervention, spontaneous perforation of esophagus is virtually incompatible with life. The classic history is of a patient who vomits and experiences epigastric or substernal pain. Diagnosis is often delayed because esophageal perforations can masquerade as many other clinical disorders.
Methods:
Report of a case of a patient with Boerhaave syndrome referred to our institution.
Conclusion:
Boerhaave syndrome is suspected on a clinical basis and confirmed with radiologic studies. As gastric content passes to mediastinum and usually pleural space, a delay in diagnosis raises morbidity and mortality significantly. This pathology is best treated with definitive repair and mediastinal and/or pleural drainage procedures.