title: [Boerhaave syndrome or spontaneous rupture of the esophagus].
abstract: Spontaneous rupture of esophagus is a rare affection resulting from barotrauma to lower esophagus during the effort of vomiting. The diagnosis is suggested by the presence of violent retrosternal pain after a bout of vomiting following the partaking of a copious meal by an alcoholic patient. Prognosis is dependent on the rapidity of treatment, always surgical and completed by long-term antibiotic therapy. Complementary examinations should be limited to a standard chest x ray and esophageal imaging with water-soluble contrast. Recovery is now the rule for patients treated within 24 hours. Mortality is high in patients diagnosed at a late stage, but this could be reduced by improved recognition of the syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Chirurgie Digestive et Endocrinienne, Clinique Chirurgicale A, Hôpital Central, Strasbourg.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mutter
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Evrard
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hemar
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marescaux
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D014839:Vomiting / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000431:Ethanol
vernacular_title: Le syndrome de Boerhaave ou rupture spontanée de l'oesophage.