Keywords
Chest pain
dyspnea
Mackler’s triad
Subcutaneous emphysema
vomiting
How to Cite
Abstract
Boerhaave syndrome is a rare cause of chest pain that is difficult to diagnose and that can and can be life threatening. It corresponds to an esophageal rupture as a result of a sharp increase in esophageal pressure. We report the case of a 74 year old patient victim of dyspnea associated with left/posterior latero-thoracic oppressive pain, after repeated attempts to vomiting. The diagnosis was chosen after performing chest radiography followed by thoraco-abdominal scanner that was able to highlight a left pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum associated with bilateral pleural effusion.
Mackler’s triad characteristic of this syndrome, which combines vomiting, chest pain and subcutaneous emphysema, is inconsistent. Further tests are then crucial especially along with thoracoabdominal scanner. The combined advancement of medical imaging and surgical techniques have greatly improved the prognosis of these patients especially in case of early treatment.
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