title: [Gas gangrene mediastinitis after Boerhaave syndrome].
abstract: Mediastinitis caused by infection with Clostridium perfringens and spontaneous rupture of the esophagus are both life threatening conditions. The combination of these two entities led to septic multiorgan failure in a 38-year-old woman. The patient was treated successfully by esophagectomy and postoperative lavage through a partially open abdomen. The lack of information regarding emesis, the leading symptom of Boerhaave's syndrome, caused delayed diagnosis: the triad of emesis, severe epigastric pain and emphysema of the skin was not established until 30 h after the onset of symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Chirurgische Abteilung, Krankenanstalt Rudolfstiftung, Wien.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Beckerhinn
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Armbruster
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kriwanek
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schrutka-Kölbl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy; D005260:Female; D005738:Gas Gangrene / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D013577:Syndrome