title: Unique case of esophageal rupture after a fall from height.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Traumatic ruptures of the esophagus are relatively rare. This condition is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Most traumatic ruptures occur after motor vehicle accidents.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe a unique case of a 23 year old woman that presented at our trauma resuscitation room after a fall from 8 meters. During physical examination there were no clinical signs of life-threatening injuries. She did however have a massive amount of subcutaneous emphysema of the chest and neck and pneumomediastinum. Flexible laryngoscopy revealed a lesion in the upper esophagus just below the level of the upper esophageal sphincter. Despite preventive administration of intravenous antibiotics and nutrition via a nasogastric tube, the patient developed a cervical abscess, which drained spontaneously. Normal diet was gradually resumed after 2.5 weeks and the patient was discharged in a reasonable condition 3 weeks after the accident.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case report presents a high cervical esophageal rupture without associated local injuries after a fall from height.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands. m.vanheijl@amc.uva.nl
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Heijl
authors.forename: Teun P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Saltzherr
authors.forename: Mark I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: van Berge Henegouwen
authors.forename: J Carel
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Goslings
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D003422:Critical Care; D004947:Esophagus / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012421:Rupture / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult