Esophageal rupture in absence of vomiting

Abstract

Summary Two cases are reported to show that esophageal rupture may occur in the absence of vomiting. A history of dysphagia in a patient who presents with acute anterior chest or back pain while eating should alert the physician to the possibility of rupture. The etiology, role of esophagitis, motility factors, and significance of obstruction in the pathogenesis of esophageal rupture are discussed.