Esophageal perforation caused by external air-blast injury

Abstract

BackgroundEsophageal perforation after external air-blast trauma is rarely presented in the emergency room. The diagnosis is often delayed more than 24 hours.MethodsWe review the literature and report a case of esophageal perforation caused by external air-blast injury.ResultsIncluding the present case, a total of 5 cases of esophageal perforation were caused by external air-blast injury in English literature. Of them, the common presentations were chest pain and dyspnea. The treatment methods varied with each case. One patient died before diagnosis of esophageal perforation and the others survived after proper surgical management.ConclusionsEarly diagnosis and proper surgical management can reduce the morbidity and mortality of patients who suffered from esophageal perforation caused by external air-blast injury.

Blast Injuries

“…Esophageal perforation should also be considered in blast victims who present with chest pain, dyspnea, or subcutaneous emphysema (85). Diagnosis of this injury would be made by esophagram, and primary repair, although not always required, is the most common treatment (85).…”

“…Diagnosis of this injury would be made by esophagram, and primary repair, although not always required, is the most common treatment (85).…”

Treatment for esophageal perforations: analysis of 11 cases

“…Bu olgularda iyi sağkalım için ilk 24 saat içeri-sinde tanı konulması ve tedaviye başlanması önemli-dir. [2,5] İlk 24 saat sonrası bu olgularda mortalite 2 katına kadar çıkar. [1,6] Bu yazıda, kliniğimizde tedavi uygulanan özofa-gus perforasyonlu 11 olguda, perforasyon nedeni, yerleşim yeri, klinik özellikleri, uygulanan tedavi yön-temleri ve komplikasyonlar irdelenerek son durumları ile sunuldu.…”

External air compression: A rare cause of blunt esophageal injury, managed by a stent

“…This hollow viscus structure is susceptible to damage by external blast wave compression and the risk of perforation is greater at points where tissue density changes. 2 However, the incidence of external air compression of the anterior chest wall causing esophageal perforation is an uncommon event that can be missed initially. Herein, we report a rare case of esophageal perforation following an external air-compression injury along with the relevant review of literatures.…”