Barogenic perforation of the esophagus distal to a stricture after endoscopy.
Instrumentation is the most common cause of esophageal perforation, usually at or above a stricture. We report an unusual case in which the perforation occurred distal to a proximal esophageal stricture during diagnostic endoscopy. The perforation occurred close to the gastroesophageal junction involving an apparently normal esophagus, in a manner similar to that of "spontaneous," barogenic esophageal rupture (Boerhaave's syndrome). We postulate that the abrupt rise in pressure in the intraluminal esophagus, the inlet of which was obstructed by a tightly fitting instrument, was responsible for the rupture.
Gubbins
G P
GP
Division of Gastroenterology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48202.
Nensey
Y M
YM
Schubert
T T
TT
Batra
S K
SK
D000368:Aged; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans