title: [Boerhaave's Syndrome. Case report and literature review].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Report of a case of spontaneous perforation of esophagus in a 70-year-old patient.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Boerhaave syndrome or spontaneous esophageal perforation is a life-threatening condition that demands early diagnosis and urgent management. Without surgical intervention, spontaneous perforation of esophagus is virtually incompatible with life. The classic history is of a patient who vomits and experiences epigastric or substernal pain. Diagnosis is often delayed because esophageal perforations can masquerade as many other clinical disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Report of a case of a patient with Boerhaave syndrome referred to our institution.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Boerhaave syndrome is suspected on a clinical basis and confirmed with radiologic studies. As gastric content passes to mediastinum and usually pleural space, a delay in diagnosis raises morbidity and mortality significantly. This pathology is best treated with definitive repair and mediastinal and/or pleural drainage procedures.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Gastrocirugía, Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México, D.F.
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Martínez-Ordaz
authors.forename: Gilberto Bernabé
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Cornejo-López
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Blanco-Benavides
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D013577:Syndrome; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed