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Esophageal perforation
Perforation of the esophagus
An esophageal perforation is a hole in the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube food passes through as it goes from the mouth to the stomach.
Causes
The contents of the esophagus can pass into the surrounding area in the chest (mediastinum), when there is a hole in the esophagus. This often results in infection of the mediastinum ( mediastinitis ).
Mediastinitis
Mediastinitis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the chest area between the lungs (mediastinum). This area contains the heart, large blood...
The most common cause of an esophageal perforation is injury during a medical procedure. However, the use of flexible instruments has made this problem rare.
The esophagus may also become perforated as the result of:
- A tumor
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Gastric reflux
with
ulceration
Gastric reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which the stomach contents leak backwards from the stomach into the esophagus (the tube from...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleUlceration
An ulcer is a crater-like sore on the skin or mucous membrane. Ulcers form when the top layers of skin or tissue have been removed. They can occur ...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Previous surgery on the esophagus
- Swallowing a foreign object or caustic chemicals, such as household cleaners, disk batteries, and battery acid
- Trauma or injury to the chest and esophagus
- Violent vomiting
Less common causes include injuries to the esophagus area (blunt trauma) and injury to the esophagus during surgery another organ near the esophagus.
Symptoms
The main symptom is pain when the problem first occurs.
A perforation in the middle or lower most part of the esophagus may cause:
- Swallowing problems
- Chest pain
- Breathing problems
Exams and Tests
Your health care provider will look for:
- Fast breathing
- Fever
-
Low blood pressure
Low blood pressure
Low blood pressure occurs when blood pressure is much lower than normal. This means the heart, brain, and other parts of the body do not get enough ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Rapid heart rate
- Neck pain or stiffness and air bubbles underneath the skin if the perforation is in the top part of the esophagus.
You may have a chest x-ray to look for:
Chest x-ray
A chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.
- Air in the soft tissues of the chest.
- Fluid that has leaked from the esophagus into the space around the lungs.
- Collapsed lung. X-rays taken after you drink a non-harmful dye can help pinpoint the location of the perforation.
You may also have chest CT scan look for an abscess in the chest or esophageal cancer.
Chest CT scan
A chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....
Abscess
An abscess is a collection of pus in any part of the body. In most cases, the area around an abscess is swollen and inflamed.
Treatment
You may need surgery. Surgery will depend on the location and size of the perforation. If surgery is needed, it is best done within 24 hours.
Treatment may include:
- Fluids given through a vein (IV)
- IV antibiotics to prevent or treat infection
- Draining of fluid around the lungs with a chest tube
-
Mediastinoscopy
to remove fluid that has collected in the area behind the breastbone and between the lungs (mediastinum)
Mediastinoscopy
Mediastinoscopy with biopsy is a procedure in which a lighted instrument (mediastinoscope) is inserted in the space in the chest between the lungs (m...
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A stent may be placed in the esophagus if only a small amount of fluid has leaked. This may help avoid surgery.
A perforation in the uppermost (neck region) part of the esophagus may heal by itself if you do not eat or drink for a period of time. In this case, you will need a stomach feeding tube or another way to get nutrients.
Surgery is often needed to repair a perforation in the middle or bottom portions of the esophagus. The leak may be treated by simple repair or by removing the esophagus, depending on the extent of the problem.
Outlook (Prognosis)
The condition can progress to shock , even death, if untreated.
Shock
Shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. Lack of blood flow means that the cells and organs...
Outlook is good if the problem is found within 24 hours of it occurring. Most people survive when surgery is done within 24 hours. Survival rate goes down if you wait longer.
Possible Complications
Complications may include:
- Permanent damage to the esophagus (narrowing or stricture)
- Abscess formation in and around the esophagus
- Infection in and around the lungs
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Tell your provider right away if you develop the problem when you are already in the hospital.
Go to the emergency room or call 911 if:
- You have recently had surgery or a tube placed in the esophagus and you have pain, problems swallowing or breathing.
- You have another reason to suspect that you may have esophageal perforation.
Prevention
These injuries, although uncommon, are hard to prevent.
References
Eckstein M, Henderson SO. Thoracic trauma. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 45.
Ferguson CM. Esophageal perforation. In: Cameron JL, Cameron AM, eds. Current Surgical Therapy . 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:64-68.
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Digestive system - illustration
The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.
Digestive system
illustration
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Digestive system organs - illustration
The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.
Digestive system organs
illustration
-
Digestive system - illustration
The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.
Digestive system
illustration
-
Digestive system organs - illustration
The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.
Digestive system organs
illustration
Review Date: 8/20/2016
Reviewed By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
