Spontaneous oesophageal perforation

An autopsy was performed on a young adult, who apparently died during his sleep. Mediastinitis was established and empyema was also found in left pleural cavity. The oesophagus examination showed a tear in left side. The lesion occurred in the distal oesophagus and showed the leak communicating freely with the left pleural space. Oesophageal perforation was the source of empyema, resulted from barotrauma to the lower oesophagus during the effort of vomiting. Death caused by septic shock. Boerhaave syndrome is a serious and rapidly fatal spontaneous oesophagus rupture. Forceful ejection of gastric contents in an unrelaxed oesophagus against a closed glottis is the mechanism described. The tear thus produced is vertical. The case report discusses the historical, statistical, pathophysiological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of Boerhaave syndrome. The syndrome is a cause of sudden death, which be known by forensic pathologists.