title: Spontaneous esophageal perforation (Boerhaave syndrome): Diagnosis with CT-esophagography.
abstract: Spontaneous esophageal perforation (Boerhaave syndrome) is a very uncommon, life-threatening surgical emergency that should be suspected in all patients presenting with lower thoracic-epigastric pain and a combination of gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms. Variable clinical manifestations and subtle or unspecific radiographic findings often result in critical diagnostic delays. Multidetector computed tomography complemented with CT-esophagography represents the ideal "one-stop shop" investigation technique to allow a rapid, comprehensive diagnosis of BS, including identification of suggestive periesophageal abnormalities, direct visualization of esophageal perforation and quantification of mediastinitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, "Luigi Sacco" University Hospital, Via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tonolini
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bianco
keywords: Computed tomography; contrast medium; esophageal perforation; esophagography; esophagus