Want to experience the greatest in board studying? Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here: emrapidbombs.supercast.com
Author: Sean O’Sullivan, MD
Peer reviewed by: Blake Briggs, MD
What is it? Boerhaave Syndrome, or effort rupture of the esophagus, is a rare but deadly condition of esophageal perforation. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Untreated it is nearly universally fatal at 95%, even if treated mortality can still reach 40%.
Where does it occur? Effort rupture of the esophagus most frequently occurs in patients with a normal esophagus, in the left posterior aspect of the distal thoracic esophagus, as a result of a sudden rise in intra-esophageal pressure. It may also occur in the presence of esophageal pathology, such as Barrett’s esophagus, eosinophilic esophagitis, or esophageal ulcers. It may also occur in the intra-abdominal portion of the esophagus, but this is rare and will not be encountered on board exams.
What are the results of perforation? Rupture into the mediastinal cavity, with the expulsion of gastric contents into the mediastinum, leading to a cascade of mediastinitis, infection, necrosis, and the rapid onset of overwhelming sepsis.
What is the presentation? Boerhaave syndrome classically presents in a male, middle aged alcoholic, with a history of recent alcohol consumption, presenting with the acute onset of excruciating chest pain, radiating to the back, with emesis. But up to 1/3 of patients have no history of vomiting. In the modern era, esophageal perforation most commonly occurs following upper G.I. endoscopy.
Physical Exam:
Chest pain, neck pain, severe odynophagia, fever, tachypnea, tachycardia and hypotension.
SIRS criteria develop rapidly, within the first hour. Sepsis follows quickly.
Accelerate your learning with our EM Question Bank Podcast
- Rapid learning
- Interactive questions and answers
- new episodes every week
- Become a valuable supporter
Chest wall crepitus on palpation à “Hamman’s Crunch”. Pathognomonic of the syndrome, though not often present and cannot be relied upon.
Pleural effusions have also been described, classically on the left.
Investigation. Although the definitive test is a water-soluble contrast (Gastrografin) esophagram, practically speaking, a rapidly obtained CT will be the most available test in the emergency department. The esophagram does a better job of localizing the perforation, but is more cumbersome to obtain.
Plain films may show air in the soft tissues, pleural effusion, mediastinal widening, or sub- diaphragmatic air if the perforation is in the gastric portion of the esophagus.
They can however, in the early stages, be normal and therefore have no reliable specificity or sensitivity for assisting in diagnosis.
Labs: worthless. Leukocytosis may be present, but labs are generally not helpful. Blood cultures and blood gases should be drawn as sepsis is a major complication.
Differential Diagnosis
The usual suspects of chest pain presentations, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolus, pneumothorax, and aortic dissection.
Perhaps the closest in presentation is Mallory-Weiss syndrome, which are longitudinal tears in the distal esophagus. These are incomplete tears, and are most commonly due to repetitive vomiting or retching, classically in alcoholics. These patients do not have esophageal perforation, and do not show signs of acute mediastinitis. They are managed symptomatically and require no radiographic studies or further testing. They can often safely be discharged with symptomatic management.
Management
NPO (#obvi)
Fluid resuscitation, preferably lactated Ringers
Intravenous proton pump inhibitors
Early intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics. (piperacillin/tazobactam is an excellent choice)
Rapid surgical consultation
Not all patients require surgery. Small leaks may be managed medically. Obviously, this decision is above our paygrade and surgery should always be called in cases of suspected esophageal perforation.
Prognosis: Morbidity and mortality are high. Up to 45% mortality in some studies. Early recognition and intervention is essential.
References
1. Brauer RB, Liebermann-Meffert D, Stein HJ, et al. Boerhaave’s syndrome: analysis of the literature and report of 18 new cases. Dis Esophagus 1997; 10:64.
2. Vidarsdottir H, Blondal S, Alfredsson H, et al. Oesophageal perforations in Iceland: a whole population study on incidence, aetiology and surgical outcome. Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2010; 58:476.
3. Pate JW, Walker WA, Cole FH Jr, et al. Spontaneous rupture of the esophagus: a 30-year experience. Ann Thorac Surg 1989; 47:689.
4. Herbella FA, Matone J, Del Grande JC. Eponyms in esophageal surgery, part 2. Dis Esophagus 2005; 18:4.
5. Michel L, Grillo HC, Malt RA. Operative and nonoperative management of esophageal perforations. Ann Surg 1981; 194:57.
6. McGovern M, Egerton MJ. Spontaneous perforation of the cervical oesophagus. Med J Aust 1991; 154:277.
7. Wilson RF, Sarver EJ, Arbulu A, Sukhnandan R. Spontaneous perforation of the esophagus. Ann Thorac Surg 1971; 12:291.
8. Attar S, Hankins JR, Suter CM, et al. Esophageal perforation: a therapeutic challenge. Ann Thorac Surg 1990; 50:45.
9. Larsen K, Skov Jensen B, Axelsen F. Perforation and rupture of the esophagus. Scand J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1983; 17:311.
10. Bladergroen MR, Lowe JE, Postlethwait RW. Diagnosis and recommended management of esophageal perforation and rupture. Ann Thorac Surg 1986; 42:235.
11. Dodds WJ, Stewart ET, Vlymen WJ. Appropriate contrast media for evaluation of esophageal disruption. Radiology 1982; 144:439.
12. Backer CL, LoCicero J 3rd, Hartz RS, et al. Computed tomography in patients with esophageal perforation. Chest 1990; 98:1078.
13. Lindenmann J, Matzi V, Neuboeck N, et al. Management of esophageal perforation in 120 consecutive patients: clinical impact of a structured treatment algorithm. J Gastrointest Surg 2013; 17:1036.
14. Ivey TD, Simonowitz DA, Dillard DH, Miller DW Jr. Boerhaave syndrome. Successful conservative management in three patients with late presentation. Am J Surg 1981; 141:531.
15. Turner AR, Turner SD. Boerhaave Syndrome. [Updated 2019 Nov 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan