Vomiting-induced pneumomediastinum as a result of recurrent Boerhaave's syndrome

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Abstract

Vomiting-induced pneumomediastinum can be a result of barotrauma causing alveolar rupture or Boerhaave's syndrome. Although a rare cause of secondary pneumomediastinum, Boerhaave's syndrome allows extravasation of air and fluid due to oesophageal perforation. We report a case of a 20-year-old female who presented with prolonged vomiting during a panic attack. Extensive surgical emphysema and pneumomediastinum were visualised radiologically. A source of oesophageal rupture was not visualised on cross-sectional computed tomography imaging following contrast ingestion. A complication of mediastinitis provided the evidence that this was a case of Boerhaave's syndrome whereby microscopic perforation of the oesophagus led to secondary pneumomediastinum, rather than vomiting-induced spontaneous pneumomediastinum caused by barotrauma. Recurrent Boerhaave's syndrome in this case is owed to the patient having previously experienced identical symptoms which spontaneously resolved.

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Kyriakides, J., & Stackhouse, A. (2020). Vomiting-induced pneumomediastinum as a result of recurrent Boerhaave’s syndrome. Journal of Surgical Case Reports, 2020(5), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1093/JSCR/RJAA102

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