Skip to main content

Advertisement

Springer Nature is making SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 research free. View research | View latest news | Sign up for updates

Chronic presentation of Boerhaave's syndrome

BMC Gastroenterology volume 10, Article number: 29 (2010) Cite this article

  • 7260 Accesses

  • 4 Citations

Abstract

Background

Spontaneous rupture of the esophagus (Boerhaave's syndrome) is a rare, well-defined clinical syndrome caused by a longitudinal perforation of the esophagus. It is a life-threatening condition that necessitates rapid diagnosis and treatment. Patients typically present acutely with a history of vomiting followed by chest or abdominal pain. However, the diagnosis may be difficult or missed when patients present with chronic symptoms that mimic other conditions.

Case Presentation

In this report, we present a unique case of Boerhaave's syndrome in a 53-year-old male patient. In contrast to the more common acute presentation, our patient developed non-specific symptoms in association with an intrathoracic cyst. In this report, we will also review the usual presenting signs, symptoms, and treatment of Boerhaave's syndrome.

Conclusion

Our emphasis in this paper will be on the importance of recognizing and diagnosing Boerhaave's syndrome in an acute as well as a chronic state.

Peer Review reports

Background

Boerhaave's Syndrome is a condition of spontaneous, longitudinal esophageal tear due to the elevated intraesophageal pressure that that classically follows repeated episodes of vomiting. Since the distal third of the esophagus is inherently weaker than the rest of the esophagus, [1, 2] rupture is seen most often in this segment. Of the different types of spontaneous rupture of the esophageal wall, the tear in Boerhaave's syndrome is full thickness, whereas a Mallory-Weiss tear involves only the mucosa [3, 4].

Furthermore, presentations of esophageal perforation can be distinguished as acute, subacute, and chronic. Acute perforation presents with symptoms within twenty-four hours after rupture. In a subacute rupture, symptoms develop between twenty four hours to two weeks following perforation. With chronic perforation, the onset of symptoms is more insidious, often delaying presentation and diagnosis for weeks to months after rupture [5, 6].

A history of forceful emesis, subxiphoid chest pain, and subcutaneous emphysema (termed the Mackler Triad) is a common triad of symptoms that should suggest acute esophageal rupture [3, 4]. However, atypical presentations in which esophageal rupture mimics pneumonia, myocardial infarction, or aortic aneurysm are sometimes seen as well. Chest films may reveal pneumomediastinum, unilateral effusion, pneumothorax, hydropneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema, or mediastinal widening. Additionally, x-rays may show radiolucent streaks of air which dissect through fascial planes behind the heart in the shape of the letter "V", the so-called "V-sign" of Naclerio [7, 8]. Other imaging techniques to consider in diagnosing esophageal rupture are barium esophagram and CT chest [9]. In both techniques, there will be evidence of extravasation of food particles or bile from the esophageal lumen into the pleural space or mediastinum [5]. Finally, endoscopy can identify the location of the esophageal defect and confirm the existence of extra-luminal disease or to rule out the diagnosis altogether.

Treatment of spontaneous esophageal rupture can be either non-operative or operative. Nonoperative treatment is best for patients with a contained perforation and the absence of clinical mediastinitis [10, 11]. Such therapy usually includes targeted drainage, intravenous antibiotics, nasogastric decompression, and enteral nutrition. Patients who are either unstable, have clinically significant mediastinitis, or a non-contained rupture, generally require surgery. Guidelines for operative intervention in Boerhaave's syndrome, are based upon perforation size and amount of adjacent contamination [12]. When the rupture is larger than 1 cm with considerable mediastinal contamination, the recommended treatment is T-tube controlled esophagocutaneous fistula, which allows esophageal drainage and promotes healing of the surrounding structures. With amore severe case of rupture, thoracotomy with direct repair may be necessary. Less invasive techniques such as video assisted thorascopic surgery (VATS) [13], endoscopic clipping [14], and placement of endoluminal stents [15] can serve as alternatives to thoracotomy.

Case Presentation

A 53-year-old Caucasian male with a history of heavy nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) usage and chronic alcohol abuse presented to the emergency room with a four-month history of dysphagia, 45-pound weight loss, coffee-ground vomitus and upper abdominal pain. Physical examination was normal, except for nonspecific epigastric tenderness, as were routine laboratory studies including CBC, chemistries and liver function studies. Although chest X-rays showed only mild perihilar consolidation, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) confirmed the presence of a large, intrathoracic, cystic structure, partially filled with necrotic debris, arising from a large entry orifice just above the gastroesophegal junction. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest demonstrated bilateral pleural effusions, pneumomediastinum, and a 6.7 cm diameter, fluid-filled diverticulum extending from the esophagus into the posteromedial left hemithorax, Fluoroscopy, performed during injection of barium through a nasogastric tube positioned in the distal esophagus, showed contrast extravasation from the distal esophagus into this cavity in the left chest.

The patient was treated with targeted drainage, intravenous antibiotics, nasogastric decompression, and enteral nutrition. However, he became septic two days after the EGD, and required emergency thoracotomy with distal esophagectomy following several days later. After ashort term of ventilator support and parenteral nutrition, he was weaned off of fboth, and was discharged with a PEG tube for enteral feedings, and is currently being evaluated for esophagostomy reversal.

Conclusion

While a spontaneous esophageal rupture usually presents in an acute setting, it can also present in a subacute or chronic manner as well. Similarly, though patients usually have symptoms of vomiting, chest pain, tachycardia, and tachypnea, a patient with Boerhaave's Syndrome may also present with non-specific complaints and no major physical findings. Due to this diverse range of presentations, the diagnosis of Boerhaave's Syndrome can be difficult, and effective treatments are often delayed. Thus, the diagnosis of Boerhaave Syndrome must be considered in any clinical setting in which a patient presents with a highly suspicious history with or without specific complaints.

Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.

References

  1. 1.

    Blackbourne L: Surgical Recall. 2006, Maryland: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

  2. 2.

    Korn O, Oñate JC: "Anatomy of the Boerhaave syndrome.". Surgery. 2007, 141 (2): 222-28. 10.1016/j.surg.2006.06.034.

  3. 3.

    Rochford M, Kiernan TJ: "Images in emergency medicine, Boerhaave's syndrome (spontaneous esophageal rupture).". Ann Emerg Med. 2007, 49 (6): 746-77. 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2006.10.011.

  4. 4.

    Griffin SM, Lamb PJ: "Spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus.". Br J Surg. 2008, 95 (9): 1115-20. 10.1002/bjs.6294.

  5. 5.

    Lin WC, Chen JD: "Boerhaave syndrome with atypical clinical presentations diagnosed by computed tomography.". Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi (Taipei). 2002, 65 (1): 45-8.

  6. 6.

    Duncan M, Wong R: "Esophageal emergencies: things that will wake you from a sound sleep.". Gastroenterology Clinics of North America. 2003, 32: 1035-1052. 10.1016/S0889-8553(03)00087-6.

  7. 7.

    Naclerio's V Sign1: Signs in Imaging, Sinha R Radiology. 2007, 245: 296-297.

  8. 8.

    Onyeka WO, Booth SJ: Boerhaave's syndrome presenting as tension pneumothorax. Journal of Accident & Emergency Medicine. 1999, 16: 235-236.

  9. 9.

    Fadoo F, Ruiz DE, Dawn SK, Webb WR, Gotway MB: "Helical CT esophagography for the evaluation of suspected esophageal perforation or rupture.". AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2004, 182: 1177-79.

  10. 10.

    Sanderson R: "Spontaneous Rupture of the Esophagus, Report of survival without Surgical Management.". American Journal of Surgery. 1965, 19: 506-508. 10.1016/S0002-9610(65)80186-6.

  11. 11.

    Amir AI, et al: Scand J Gastroenterol. 2004, 39 (5): 418-22. 10.1080/00365520410004316.

  12. 12.

    Wu JT, Mattox KL, Wall MJ: "Esophageal perforations: new perspectives and treatment paradigms.". J Trauma. 2007, 63 (5): 1173-84. 10.1097/TA.0b013e31805c0dd4.

  13. 13.

    Choa Su Jeong, Kimb Dae Yeong, Ib Hoseok, Leeb Kwon Sang, Jeongc Joo Yeon: European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. 2008, 34 (3): 520-524. 10.1016/j.ejcts.2008.05.034.

  14. 14.

    Sriram PV, Rao GV, Reddy ND: Successful closure of spontaneous esophageal perforation (Boerhaave's syndrome) by endoscopic clipping. Indian J Gastroenterol. 2006, 25 (1): 39-41.

  15. 15.

    Raju G, Thompson C, Zwischenberger J: Emerging endoscopic options in the management of esophageal leaks (videos). Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. 62 (2): 278-286. 10.1016/S0016-5107(05)01632-9.

Pre-publication history

  1. The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-230X/10/29/prepub

Download references

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, San Joaquin County Hospital, 500 West hospital road, French Camp, California, 95231, USA
    • Umer F Malik
  2. Department of Anesthesiology, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California, 95817, USA
    • Ryan Young
  3. Department of Cardiothoracic surgery, University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio, Texas, 78229-3901, USA
    • Hein D Pham
  4. Saint George's School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies and Department of Internal Medicine, San Joaquin County Hospital, 500 West hospital road, French Camp, California, 95231, USA
    • Alisha McCon
  5. Department of Gastroenterology, San Joaquin County Hospital, 500 West hospital road, French Camp, California, 95231, USA
    • Brenda Shen
    •  & Richard Landres
  6. Department of Surgery, San Joaquin County Hospital, 500 West hospital road, French Camp, California, 95231, USA
    • Ahmed Mahmoud
Authors
  1. Search for Umer F Malik in:
  2. Search for Ryan Young in:
  3. Search for Hein D Pham in:
  4. Search for Alisha McCon in:
  5. Search for Brenda Shen in:
  6. Search for Richard Landres in:
  7. Search for Ahmed Mahmoud in:

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Umer F Malik.

Additional information

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors' contributions

UFM was involved in writing, reviewing and editing the manuscript. He was the corresponding author who drafted the initial article. He also finalized the manuscript. RY was involved in writing, editing and reviewing the manuscript. HDP reviewed and edited the manuscript. AMC: was involved in initial writing and editing of the manuscript. BS: was involved in writing, gathering and organizing pictures and final editing of the manuscript. RL was the chief gastroenterologist involved with the case. He also reviewed, edited and finalized the manuscript. AM was the chief of surgery and attending involved with the case. He also reviewed and finalized the manuscript.

All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Rights and permissions

This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Malik, U.F., Young, R., Pham, H.D. et al. Chronic presentation of Boerhaave's syndrome. BMC Gastroenterol 10, 29 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-230X-10-29

Download citation

Keywords

  • Enteral Nutrition
  • Mediastinitis
  • Subcutaneous Emphysema
  • Esophageal Rupture
  • Barium Esophagram

BMC Gastroenterology

ISSN: 1471-230X

Contact us