title: An unusual case of chest pain.
abstract: Boerhaave's syndrome is a rare but life-threatening condition characterised by spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus. Owing to its rarity, it is often not thought about as a cause for chest pain and is often admitted under a medical ward. This can lead to a delayed diagnosis with unfavourable outcomes. A 93-year-old female presented with severe atypical chest pain that was difficult to control. Her initial baseline tests were normal but her condition deteriorated and she desaturated through the night. A repeat chest x-ray showed right basal consolidation and pneumomediastinum. A diagnosis of Boerhaave's syndrome was made. She was unfortunately at this stage critically unwell and continued to deteriorate. She died 17 h after admission.
authors: Mid Cheshire NHS Trust, Crewe, UK. peterng@doctors.org.uk
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Ng
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008477:Mediastinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D004935:Esophageal Diseases; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D000072663:Spontaneous Perforation