Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
06:33
Massive Pontine Hemorrhage by Dual Injection of Autologous Blood
Published on: May 29, 2021
Boerhaave syndrome presenting as massive hemothorax.
Herb A Phelan1, Scott C Brakenridge, Travis J Rutland
1Division of Burns/Trauma/Critical Care, UT-Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9158, USA. herb.phelan@utsouthwestern.edu
Southern Medical Journal
|January 14, 2009
Summary
Boerhaave syndrome, a rare esophageal perforation, can be challenging to diagnose due to atypical presentations. This case highlights a unique postemetic perforation causing a massive left hemothorax, emphasizing the need for prompt recognition and surgical intervention.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Surgery
- Thoracic Medicine
Background:
- Boerhaave syndrome, characterized by esophageal perforation and mediastinal sepsis, is a rare but serious condition.
- Timely diagnosis and surgical intervention are critical for improving patient outcomes.
- Atypical presentations can significantly delay recognition and treatment, leading to poorer prognoses.
Observation:
- A case study of a male patient with postemetic esophageal perforation is presented.
- The patient exhibited an unusual presentation with a massive left hemothorax.
- This specific presentation of Boerhaave syndrome is, to the authors' knowledge, unprecedented in medical literature.
Findings:
- The presented case demonstrates a rare manifestation of Boerhaave syndrome.
- Postemetic esophageal perforation can lead to significant intrathoracic complications like hemothorax.
- The rarity of this presentation underscores the diagnostic challenges associated with Boerhaave syndrome.
Implications:
- This case emphasizes the importance of considering rare presentations in the diagnosis of Boerhaave syndrome.
- Prompt surgical management is crucial, even in atypical cases, to improve patient survival.
- Further case reports may elucidate the spectrum of Boerhaave syndrome presentations and guide clinical practice.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
A hemorrhagic stroke develops when a cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to escape into the surrounding brain tissue, as in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or into the subarachnoid space, as in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Because the skull is a rigid compartment, the sudden presence of extravascular blood rapidly increases intracranial pressure and compresses adjacent neural structures, leading to immediate tissue injury and impaired cerebral perfusion.Mass Effect and Primary...
01:27Pneumothorax-II
Pneumothorax is a medical condition defined by the buildup of air in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall. This accumulation of air can lead to partial or complete lung collapse, resulting in a range of clinical manifestations. Understanding the clinical presentation and effective management strategies is crucial for healthcare professionals in providing timely and appropriate care to individuals with pneumothorax.
Clinical Manifestations:
Clinical Manifestations:
01:08Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology
Pneumothorax means the presence of air in the pleural space — the thin potential gap between the visceral and parietal pleura. This condition disrupts the normal pressure balance that keeps the lungs inflated, leading to partial or complete collapse of the affected lung.Normal physiologyUnder normal conditions, the pleural space maintains a slightly negative intrapleural pressure, which keeps the lungs expanded against the chest wall. This negative pressure creates a delicate balance between...
01:24Esophageal Varices-I: Introduction
Esophageal varices are dilated, tortuous veins which are found mainly in the submucosa of the lower esophagus but which may also appear higher up or extend into the stomach. They develop due to increased pressure in the portal venous system, often as a result of liver cirrhosis. This condition scars and damages the liver, impeding normal blood flow through the portal vein. To compensate, blood seeks alternative pathways, forming fragile new vessels (varices) in the esophagus and stomach. These...
01:26Pneumothorax-I
A pneumothorax is a condition where air builds up in the space between the lung and the chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. This condition arises when air enters the space between the parietal and visceral pleura, disrupting the negative pressure essential for lung inflation. This can lead to a partial or complete collapse of the lung.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
01:29Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction
Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a thrombus, fat or air embolus, amniotic fluid, or tumor tissue blocks one or more pulmonary arteries. These blockages originate in the venous system or the right side of the heart.EtiologyPE primarily arises from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and other hypercoagulable states, such as inherited thrombophilias. Additional etiological factors include venous stasis, commonly seen in obesity, and endothelial injury from surgery and trauma. Less common causes include...