Boerhaave syndrome CT

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mohamed Diab, MD [2] Shaghayegh Habibi, M.D.[3]

Overview[edit | edit source]

CT of the chest and the abdomen should be performed when a suspected esophageal perforation is difficult to locate on contrast esophagogram, when contrast esophagogram can not be performed (e.g, uncooperative or unstable patients, patients with free peritoneal air, and patients with localized collections of fluid for surgical drainage).

CT[edit | edit source]

• CT of the chest and the abdomen should be performed when a suspected esophageal perforation is difficult to locate on contrast esophagogram, when contrast esophagogram can not be performed (e.g, uncooperative or unstable patients, patients with free peritoneal air, and patients with localized collections of fluid for surgical drainage).
• There will be evidence of extravasation of food particles or bile from the esophageal lumen into the pleural space or mediastinum.^[1]

CT findings include:^[2][3][4]

• Esophageal wall edema and thickening
• Peri-esophageal fluid
• Mediastinal widening
• Air and fluid in the pleural spaces, retroperitoneum, or lesser sac

References[edit | edit source]

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