Spontaneous perforation of cervical oesophagus: a rare variant of Boerhaave's syndrome.
BACKGROUND
A 29-year-old man presented with sudden onset of severe pain in his throat, difficulty breathing and a hoarse voice, following an episode of vomiting.


METHODS
Initial laboratory tests were normal. The patient underwent fibre-optic nasendoscopy, which demonstrated a haematoma in the piriform fossa. Lateral neck radiography and subsequent computed tomography scanning confirmed a 2 cm, loculated, gas-containing collection at the level of the vallecula in the right posterolateral wall, extending to the false vocal folds and communicating between the right parapharyngeal space and the right carotid sheath. Water-soluble contrast swallow confirmed the diagnosis.


METHODS
Contained oesophageal perforation.


RESULTS
Conservative treatment was adopted involving nil orally, intravenous antibiotics and nasogastric feeding. The patient made an uneventful recovery.
Mittal
S
S
Department of Surgery, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK. shrut1@hotmail.co.uk
Rohatgi
A
A
Sutcliffe
R P
RP
Botha
A
A
D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D006406:Hematoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D013577:Syndrome; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000150:complications*
D003287:Contrast Media