Boerhaave syndrome, a rare oesophageal rupture: a case report

Boerhaave syndrome is a disorder mainly unknown among ambulance staff. However, the high mortality and morbidity rates associated with this rare disorder, and the fact that other conditions present with similar symptoms, suggest that this is one disorder to add to the differential diagnosis list. This case study describes a 17-year-old male complaining of left-sided 'pressure'-type chest pain and persistent vomiting who on examination was found to have subcutaneous emphysema present. Deceived by a differential diagnosis, the patient was transferred under the belief that he had suffered a spontaneous pneumothorax as he was tall, young and thin. This case report reviews the literature surrounding Boerhaave syndrome and how it can present.