Esophageal rupture
Esophageal rupture is a medical condition characterized by a full-thickness tear in the esophagus, the muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. This condition is considered a medical emergency due to the risk of leaking of stomach contents into the surrounding areas, leading to severe infection and complications. Esophageal rupture can occur spontaneously, as in Boerhaave syndrome, or as a result of trauma, medical procedures, or ingestion of caustic substances.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Esophageal rupture can be caused by several factors, categorized into spontaneous, iatrogenic, traumatic, and chemical causes:
- Spontaneous rupture (Boerhaave syndrome) typically occurs after forceful vomiting or retching.
- Iatrogenic causes include injuries from medical procedures such as endoscopy or surgeries.
- Traumatic rupture can result from blunt or penetrating trauma to the chest or abdomen.
- Chemical causes involve the ingestion of caustic or corrosive substances, leading to esophageal damage and potential rupture.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
Symptoms of esophageal rupture may include:
- Severe chest pain, often radiating to the back
- Vomiting or retching followed by severe pain (in cases of Boerhaave syndrome)
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Fever
- Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
- Subcutaneous emphysema (air present under the skin)
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of esophageal rupture involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests, including:
- Chest X-ray to detect air in the chest cavity (pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum)
- Computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest and abdomen to provide detailed images of the esophagus and surrounding structures
- Esophagogram with a water-soluble contrast agent to visualize the rupture
- Endoscopy to directly visualize the tear in the esophagus
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment of esophageal rupture is aimed at closing the tear, preventing infection, and supporting the patient through recovery. Treatment options include:
- Surgical repair of the esophageal tear
- Administration of antibiotics to prevent or treat infection
- Nutritional support, often through a feeding tube or intravenous (IV) nutrition, to allow the esophagus to heal
- In some cases, non-surgical management may be considered if the patient is stable and the rupture is contained
Complications[edit | edit source]
Complications of esophageal rupture can be severe and include:
- Mediastinitis (inflammation of the mediastinum, the central compartment of the thoracic cavity)
- Sepsis (a life-threatening response to infection)
- Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
- Empyema (accumulation of pus in the pleural cavity)
- Death, if not promptly and effectively treated
Prevention[edit | edit source]
Prevention of esophageal rupture involves managing risk factors and avoiding actions that increase pressure on the esophagus, such as:
- Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption
- Managing chronic vomiting or retching with medical treatment
- Exercising caution during medical procedures involving the esophagus
See also[edit | edit source]
Translate: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.Contributors: Admin, Prab R. Tumpati, MD