TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2009//
TI  - Unique case of esophageal rupture after a fall from height
JO  - BMC emergency medicine
A1  - van Heijl, Mark
A1  - Saltzherr, Teun Peter
A1  - van Berge Henegouwen, Mark I.
A1  - Goslings, J. Carel
SP  - 24
EP  - 24
VL  - 9
IS  - 1
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 1471-227X
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-227X-9-24
ID  - ref1
ER  -