Esophageal Rupture (Tear In Esophagus)
Description
An esophageal rupture occurs when there is a tear in the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. Cancer, ingesting corrosive fluids, forceful vomiting, and trauma can all cause a rupture. The esophagus can also be damaged during an endoscopy. Leakage of food or fluid into the chest can lead to serious irritation, infection and death.
Symptoms
Chest pain, fever, shortness of breath, weak pulse, pain with swallowing, air bubbles under the skin of the neck.
Tests
A history and physical exam will be performed. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), gastrografin swallow, chest CT scan or MRI may be used to identify the rupture.
- CBC
- Chem 12
- X-Ray
- CT Scan
- MRI
Treatment
Therapy depends on the size of the tear. The sooner treatment begins the higher likelihood the patient will survive this disorder. Surgery to repair the rupture should be done as early as possible. Intravenous fluids and antibiotics are administered.
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A tear in esophagus is one the most awful things to happen to a person as it is life threatining and in my mums case it caused her two have two heart attacks and five surgerys on her petite neck as she had a lot of infection from a previous surgeon. The tear was caused when a surgeon cut the esophagus by mistake and did not realise until it was to late? My mum is still in intensive care under sedation at St.Barts Hospital in London where one of the top surgeons in the country saved her life with his skill and technique, trying to repair the damage the surgeon at The Royal London Hospital did nearly four weeks ago now.