[A case of conservatively resolved intramural esophageal dissection combined with pneumomediastinum]

Korean J Gastroenterol. 2012 Oct;60(4):249-52. doi: 10.4166/kjg.2012.60.4.249.
[Article in Korean]

Abstract

Intramural esophageal dissection (IED) is a rare form of esophageal injury. We report a rare case of spontaneous IED complicated with pneumomediastinum and successfully improved by conservative management. A 46-year-old man presented to the emergency department with chest pain and hematemesis. The endoscopic diagnosis was suspicious of IED. Chest CT scan performed to rule out complication noted IED combined with pneumomediastinum. He was managed conservatively with nil per oral, intravenous antibiotics and parenteral nutrition. Follow up study after 2 weeks later showed near complete resolution of IED. IED should be included in the differential diagnosis for unexplained acute chest pain, especially, associated with dysphagia and hematemesis. IED with pneumomediastinum or mediastinitis require prompt surgery. So far, there is no case report of IED combined with pneumomediastinum which resolved without surgical treatment. In this case, IED combined with pneumomediastinum has improved by conservative management, so we present a case report.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Esophageal Diseases / complications
  • Esophageal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Esophageal Diseases / drug therapy
  • Gastroscopy
  • Hematemesis / complications
  • Hematemesis / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mediastinal Emphysema / complications
  • Mediastinal Emphysema / diagnosis*
  • Mediastinal Emphysema / drug therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents