title: Cervical esophageal perforation and cricopharyngeal dysfunction.
abstract: Spontaneous perforation of the esophagus is an uncommon event; when it does occur, it usually affects the thoracic esophagus. We present a rare and fatal case of spontaneous perforation of the cervical esophagus in a 68-year-old woman. We believe this rupture was related to a proximal outlet obstruction secondary to cricopharyngeal muscle dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky School of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: W Brian
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Helton
authors.forename: Raman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Unnikrishnan
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gal
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010609:Pharyngeal Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*