Spontaneous rupture of oesophagus

**Definition:** Spontaneous perforation of the oesophageal wall. This most commonly results from a sudden increase in intraoesophageal pressure combined with relatively negative intrathoracic pressure caused by straining or vomiting. This is known as effort rupture of the oesophagus or Boerhaave's syndrome.

**Inclusions:** - Rupture of oesophagus

**Exclusions:** - traumatic perforation of (thoracic) oesophagus - Mallory-Weiss syndrome - Perforation due to malignant neoplasm