Oesophageal rupture in the course of conservative treatment of bleeding oesophageal varices.
Fatal oesophageal rupture is described as a complication of the management of bleeding oesophageal varices with repeated sclerotherapy and tamponade using the Sengstaken-Blakemore tube. The importance of chest radiographs is stressed in the early detection and prevention of malposition of the Sengstaken-Blakemore tube, as inflation of the gastric balloon in the oesophagus can result in oesophageal rupture.
Crerar-Gilbert
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Department of Anaesthetics, Whipps, Cross Hospital, Leytonstone, London.
D000328:Adult; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation