[Boerhaave's Syndrome. Case report and literature review].
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.
Martínez-Ordaz
José Luis
JL
Servicio de Gastrocirugía, Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México, D.F.
Cornejo-López
Gilberto Bernabé
GB
Blanco-Benavides
Roberto
R
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