SPONTANEOUS PERFORATION OF THE ESOPHAGUS: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE AND REPORT OF A CASE

Abstract

Case Reports1 September 1959SPONTANEOUS PERFORATION OF THE ESOPHAGUS: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE AND REPORT OF A CASEE. L. MARSTON, M.D., HENRY L. VALK, M.D.E. L. MARSTON, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, HENRY L. VALK, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-51-3-590 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptSpontaneous perforation of the esophagus is a rare condition with a high mortality rate when untreated. The following patient illustrates the need for an early diagnosis and immediate surgical treatment.CASE REPORTOn July 30, 1955, at 6:00 p.m., a 72 year old white male developed nausea, vomiting and diarrhea shortly after his supper. Severe left chest pain rapidly appeared. Respiratory movements were painful, and he became dyspneic. His family physician described hypotension, a friction rub over the left lateral chest, and diffuse moist râles at both bases. There was no cough, hemoptysis or hematemesis. He was referred to the...Bibliography Bibliography—Appendix A Bibliography—Appendix B1. Boerhaave H: Atrocis nec descripti prius, Morbi Historia. Secundum medicae artis leges conscripta, Lugd. Botav., 1724, quoted by Fitz.4 Google Scholar2. Dryden J: Medical commentaries, Edinburgh, 1788, quoted by Fitz.4 Google Scholar3. Walker IJ: Spontaneous rupture of the healthy esophagus, J. A. M. A. 62: 1952 (June 20) 1944. Google Scholar4. Fitz RH: Rupture of the healthy esophagus, Am. J. M. Sc. 73: 17 (Jan.) 1877. CrossrefGoogle Scholar5. Frink NW: Spontaneous rupture of the esophagus, J. Thoracic Surg. 16: 291 (June) 1947. CrossrefGoogle Scholar6. DerbesMitchell VJRE: Rupture of the esophagus, Surgery 39: 688 (Apr.) and 865 (May) 1956. MedlineGoogle Scholar7. 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Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Winston-Salem, North Carolina*Received for publication March 31, 1958.From the Departments of Surgery and Internal Medicine, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.This investigation was supported in part by Fellowship 7035 from the National Heart Institute of the National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service.Requests for reprints should be addressed to Henry L. Valk, M.D., Department of Medicine, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest College, Winston-Salem 7, North Carolina. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited bySpontaneous Oesophagopleural Fistula as the Underlying Cause of HydropneumothoraxMediastinitisAnatomy of the Boerhaave syndromeSpontaneous rupture of the oesophagus. Avoidance of postoperative morbiditySpontaneous Esophageal Rupture: Boerhaave's SyndromeBoerhaave's syndromeBoerhaave’s syndrome as a complication of pre-existent gastrointestinal diseaseLes ruptures spontanées de l'œsophage A propos de 4 observations réunies en 20 ansBoerhaave's syndrome: role of esophagoscopyEsophageal Rupture: Diagnosis by Pleural Fluid pHPerforation of the esophagusSome Aspects of the Epidemiology and Etiology of Esophageal Cancer With Particular Emphasis on the Transkei, South AfricaSpontaneous Rupture of the OesophagusVomiting, abdominal pain and a left pleural effusionOesophagusAtraumatic so-called “spontaneous” rupture of the esophagus‘Spontaneous’ rupture of the healthy oesophagusLXXIV Penetrating and Perforating Injuries of the Esophagus 1 September 1959Volume 51, Issue 3Page: 590-607KeywordsEsophagusHeartHypotensionIschemiaMedical servicesNauseaPrevention, policy, and public healthSurgeryThoraxVomiting ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 September 1959 PDF downloadLoading ...