Ruptured celiac artery aneurysm mimicking Boerhaave syndrome

Am J Emerg Med. 2013 Sep;31(9):1421.e5-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2013.05.014. Epub 2013 Jun 15.

Abstract

Ruptured celiac artery aneurysm is a rare cause for epigastric pain and is usually detected incidentally. Atypical presentation with postemetic epigastralgia and pleural effusion usually leads physicians to make the diagnosis of Boerhaave syndrome. Herein, we report a 32-year-old woman who was diagnosed with Boerhaave syndrome initially after presenting with acute postemetic epigastralgia and predominant left side pleural effusion. Diagnostic left thoracentesis yielded bloody fluid with similar amylase level to serum. The chest computed tomographic scan showed no evidence of esophageal rupture. However, a ruptured celiac artery aneurysm with retroperitoneal hematoma extending to the posterior mediastinum and bilateral pleural space was found incidentally. Although ruptured celiac artery aneurysm is an uncommon cause for postemetic epigastralgia, acute vascular events such as the previously stated cause should be the first impression rather than Boerhaave syndrome if the patient also presents with isolated pleural effusion containing unelevated amylase.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / diagnosis
  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Adult
  • Aneurysm, Ruptured / complications
  • Aneurysm, Ruptured / diagnosis*
  • Aneurysm, Ruptured / diagnostic imaging
  • Celiac Artery* / diagnostic imaging
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Esophageal Perforation / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mediastinal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Pleural Effusion / etiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Supplementary concepts

  • Boerhaave syndrome