Boerhaave' s syndrome: a case with an atypical right-sided oesophageal perforation

Abstract

Background. Boerhaave's syndrome is a complete transmural perforation of the thoracic oesophagus, with the oesophageal tear occurring on the left posterolateral side in 90 % of the patients.

Case report. We present a case of Boerhaave's syndrome with an atypical feature of right-sided oesophageal rupture. Chest CT has the advantage of imaging all thoracic structures and complications and excluding differentially diagnostic conditions in the case of a high clinical suspicion of oesophageal rupture.

Conclusions. CT is especially important in patients whose severe clinical condition does not permit esophagography.