@article{ref1,
title="Unique case of esophageal rupture after a fall from height",
journal="BMC emergency medicine",
year="2009",
author="van Heijl, Mark and Saltzherr, Teun Peter and van Berge Henegouwen, Mark I. and Goslings, J. Carel",
volume="9",
number="1",
pages="24-24",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Traumatic ruptures of the esophagus are relatively rare. This condition is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Most traumatic ruptures occur after motor vehicle accidents. Case Presentation: We describe a unique case of a 23 year old woman that presented at our trauma resuscitation room after a fall from 8 meters. During physical examination there were no clinical signs of life-threatening injuries. She did however have a massive amount of subcutaneous emphysema of the chest and neck and pneumomediastinum. Flexible laryngoscopy revealed a lesion in the upper esophagus just under the level of the upper esophageal sphincter. Despite preventive administration of intravenous antibiotics and nutrition via a nasogastric tube, the patient developed a cervical abscess, which drained spontaneously. Normal diet was gradually resumed after 2.5 weeks and the patient was discharged in a reasonable condition 3 weeks after the accident. CONCLUSIONS: This case report presents a high cervical esophageal rupture without associated local injuries after a fall from height.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1471-227X",
doi="10.1186/1471-227X-9-24",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-227X-9-24"
}