Occult spontaneous esophageal perforation. Unusual clinical and radiographic presentation.

We report a unique presentation of spontaneous esophageal perforation or Boerhaave's syndrome. Our patient had no risk factors predisposing her to barogenic rupture of the esophagus, and she had none of the "classic" presenting signs. She was asymptomatic, and her clinical course appeared to be chronic. Her chest roentgenogram demonstrated bilateral thick-walled cavities with air-fluid levels. Computerized axial tomography of the chest and swallow of meglumine diatrizoate (Gastrografin) showed the cavities and esophagus to communicate. This patient's presentation and radiographic studies extend the reported description of Boerhaave's syndrome.

Duke Scholars

Author William J. Fulkerson Jr. Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine

Author Carl Eric Ravin Radiology, Cardiothoracic Imaging