[Is Minnigerode's sign still valid in early diagnosis of oesophageal wall perforation?]

Basing on the pathophysiologic phenomena in oesophagus wall perforation, the authors examine the question whether contrast radiography, increasingly performed of late, deserves preference over Minnigerode's sign in early diagnosis. Although these diagnostic methods do not compete with each other, since they are equivalents, own experience shows that contrast radiographs should be performed sparingly and, moreover, only if mediastinotomy or intrathoracic oesophagotomy could be practised immediately.