[Spontaneous perforation of the esophagus (Boerhaave syndrome)]

It is reported on 2 patients with spontaneous perforation of the oesophagus (Boerhaave's syndrome). The picture of the disease is rare. Possible causes, symptomatology, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and therapy are described. Severe thoracic pains, which in most cases appear after vomiting, are in the foreground. Evident for the disease is the escape of the contrast medium in esophagography. The lethality is 30%. Prerequisite for better results of the treatment is a rapid diagnosis and early surgical approach.