Diagnostic value of pleural fluid cytology in occult Boerhaave's syndrome.

Drury, M; Anderson, W; Heffner, J E · Chest · 1992

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

When Boerhaave's syndrome presents with atypical clinical features and eludes prompt diagnosis, delays in surgical therapy increase complications and mortality. We present a patient with occult Boerhaave's syndrome who had nondiagnostic esophageal contrast studies and thoracic computed tomography. Pleural fluid cytologic analysis established the presence of esophageal rupture by detecting undigested food particles.

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