Abstract
Chest pain is a common symptom amongst patients presenting to the acute medical unit, and presents a diagnostic challenge. We present the case of a previously healthy 65 year old year old gentleman with chest pain and subsequent vomiting, treated initially as an acute coronary syndrome, despite normal ECG and troponin. Chest radiograph revealed left basal consolidation with an effusion, suggesting pneumonia. The absence of symptoms of respiratory infection along with a normal C-reactive protein level led to further investigation with CT. This revealed evidence of oesophageal rupture (Boerhaave’s syndrome). Despite early surgical intervention our patient suffered a number of complications and continues his recovery in hospital three months post presentation.
[download-attachments container="div" style="list" display_icon="1" display_count="1" display__size="0"]
References
- Brinster CJ, Singhal S, Lee L, et al. Evolving options in the management of esophageal perforation. Ann ThoracSurg 2004; 77: 1475–83.
- Griffin SM, Lamb PJ, Shenfine J, et al. Spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus. Br J Surg 2008; 95: 1115–20.
- Blencowe NS, Strong S & Hollowood AD. Spontaneous Oesophageal rupture. BMJ 2013; 346: f3095.
- Abbott OA. Atraumatic so-called spontaneous rupture of the esophagus (Boerhaave’s syndrome). Br J Surg 1985; 72.
- Muckier SA. Spontaneous rupture of the esophagus experimental and clinical study. Surg GynecolObstet 1952; 95: 345–56.
- Gupta NM, Kaman L. Personal management of 57 consecutive patients with esophageal perforation. Am J Surg 2004; 187: 58–63
Request Permissions
To request copyright permission to republish or share portions of our works, please visit Copyright Clearance Center’s (CCC) Marketplace website by clicking the button below:
