Boerhaave's Syndrome

<p>Spontaneous perforation of the esophagus most commonly results from a sudden increase in intraesophageal pressure combined with negative intrathoracic pressure caused by straining or vomiting (effort rupture of the esophagus or Boerhaave's syndrome). Dr. Herman Boerhaave (1668-1738), a physician from Leiden, the Netherlands, first described Boerhaave's syndrome of esophageal rupture and mediastinal sepsis, based upon his careful clinical and autopsy findings of a Great Admiral of the Dutch Fleet who overate and experienced a spontaneous rupture of the esophagus following vomiting.</p>