Traumatic esophageal laceration presenting as a tongue laceration

Esophageal injuries may occur spontaneously because of iatrogenic instrumental injury, foreign body impaction, or external trauma. Traumatic esophageal laceration is rare and can lead to significant morbidity such as perforation, mediastinitis, retropharyngeal abscess, or deep neck infection. Early detection of esophageal injury improves patient outcome and survival compared with a diagnosis that is delayed by more than 24 hours after rupture. We describe the case of a 45-year-old man with esophageal laceration after facial contusion and tongue laceration. Upper airway compromise is the major concern for emergency physicians. In a nonsurgical approach, close observation is needed because there is a potential risk of progression to delayed esophageal rupture. If there is clinical deterioration, repeat endoscopy or surgical intervention should be considered. Early detection of esophageal rupture in patients with minor head injuries can reduce mortality and morbidity and avoid major surgery and, in most cases, allows the esophagus to heal normally.