title: Another case of chest pain on the acute medical take!
abstract: A physiologically fit 91-year-old gentleman presented with sudden onset chest pain, breathlessness and cardiovascular compromise associated with vomiting. He was treated for renal colic, community-acquired pneumonia and pulmonary embolism before a formal diagnosis of Boerhaave's syndrome was made. The patient was prepared for emergency surgery, unfortunately his condition deteriorated rapidly and he was subsequently managed conservatively. He died 2&emsp14;days later. Diagnosis and treatment of Boerhaave's syndrome are often delayed. Treatment options for Boerhaave's syndrome include conservative measures, endoscopic interventions and surgery. Chest pain is a common presentation on the acute medical take. Boerhaave's syndrome is a rare cause of chest pain, which may mimic other conditions but should not be missed due a high death rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Bristol Royal Infirmary, University Hospitals Bristol, Bristol, UK. sarah7white@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D004322:Drainage; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008477:Mediastinal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology; D004935:Esophageal Diseases; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D000072663:Spontaneous Perforation