title: Blunt traumatic esophageal injury: Unusual presentation and approach.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Blunt esophageal injury is extremely rare event. However, it is a potential morbid injury unless managed early.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a rare case of blunt esophageal injury for a 28-year old male who presented with history of fall of heavy object over the right side of the chest. Diagnostic work up including chest X-ray, computerized tomography scans and gastrografin esophagogram revealed lower esophageal rupture. Right mini-thoracotomy with esophageal repair was performed. Postoperative course was uneventful.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The exact mechanism of blunt esophageal injury remains uncertain. This report described a unique location of esophageal rupture after blunt trauma that happened on the right side. Diagnosis of esophageal injury needs high index of suspicion and accurate diagnostic workup.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prompt diagnosis and management are the key for better prognosis in patients with blunt esophageal injury.
authors.affiliation: Section of Trauma Surgery, Department of Surgery, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar. Electronic address: traumaresearch@hmc.org.qa.
authors.forename: Husham
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abdulrahman
authors.affiliation: Section of Trauma Surgery, Department of Surgery, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ajaj
authors.affiliation: Section of Trauma Surgery, Department of Surgery, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shunni
authors.affiliation: Weill Cornell Medical School, Qatar; Clinical Research, Trauma Surgery, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Ayman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El-Menyar
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Hamad Heart Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Amer
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chaikhouni
authors.affiliation: Section of Trauma Surgery, Department of Surgery, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Al-Thani
authors.affiliation: Section of Trauma Surgery, Department of Surgery, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar; Department of Surgery, Arizona University, Tucson, USA.
authors.forename: Rifat
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Latifi
keywords: Blunt trauma; Esophageal injury; Fall of heavy object