Boerhaave's syndrome

Spontaneous rupture of the esophageal wall. Unlike Mallory-Weiss syndrome, the entire esophageal wall is affected and is associated with the risk of perforation complications such as mediastinitis or peritonitis.

Rupture occurs in healthy tissue unaffected by a pathological process. It can also occur with severe vomiting after alcohol excess or iatrogenically during endoscopic examination.