Esophageal rupture (Boerhaave syndrome) - Lengthwise rupture (100 mm) and additionally multiple small rips of the the mucosa of the midsection of the esophagus. Bleeding into the esophageal musculature and the paraesophageal/-tracheal fatty tissue.
Additional findings: Alcoholic liver cirrhosis
Clinically: 55-year old male patient: shocking upper GI-bleed in esophageal rupture. Suspicion of alcoholic liver cirrhosis. COPD.
Commentary: The boerhaave syndrome is a rare disease where all the layers of the esophageal wall rupture suddenly. It was first described in 1724 by Hermann Boerhaave. It occurs after a sudden and strong increase in inner-esophageal pressure caused mainly by extreme vomiting. Immediate surgical treatment is the most important therapy by far. Untreated, the spontaneous esophageal rupture has a mortality of over 90 percent.
Source: ©PathoPic
