A Case of Boerhaave’s Syndrome

Transmural perforation of the esophagus following an effortful vomiting is a rare but fatal condition. This situation, known as Boerhaave’s syndrome, is caused by spontaneously occurring perforations. The esophagus is not resistant to reflexes such as nausea and vomiting because it lacks serosal layers. Boerhaave syndrome, in which substantial amounts of spontaneous perforations occur, is generally seen after emesis. Its rarity and non-specific nature of symptoms make the diagnosis difficult. The immediate recognition of this potentially lethal condition is essential to ensure appropriate treatment. We present the treatment of Boerhaave syndrome in a 78-year-old man who was admitted to the emergency department with a vomiting complaint. (JAEM 2015; 14: 88-90)