Blunt traumatic esophageal injury: Unusual presentation and approach

Husham Abdulrahman; Ahmad Ajaj; Adam Shunni; Ayman El-Menyar; Amer Chaikhouni; Hassan Al-Thani; Rifat Latifi

doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2013.10.015

Blunt traumatic esophageal injury: Unusual presentation and approach

Int J Surg Case Rep. 2014;5(1):16-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2013.10.015. Epub 2013 Nov 14.

Authors

Husham Abdulrahman¹, Ahmad Ajaj², Adam Shunni², Ayman El-Menyar³, Amer Chaikhouni⁴, Hassan Al-Thani², Rifat Latifi⁵

Affiliations

¹ Section of Trauma Surgery, Department of Surgery, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar. Electronic address: traumaresearch@hmc.org.qa.
² Section of Trauma Surgery, Department of Surgery, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
³ Weill Cornell Medical School, Qatar; Clinical Research, Trauma Surgery, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
⁴ Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Hamad Heart Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
⁵ Section of Trauma Surgery, Department of Surgery, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar; Department of Surgery, Arizona University, Tucson, USA.

Abstract

Introduction: Blunt esophageal injury is extremely rare event. However, it is a potential morbid injury unless managed early.

Presentation of case: We report a rare case of blunt esophageal injury for a 28-year old male who presented with history of fall of heavy object over the right side of the chest. Diagnostic work up including chest X-ray, computerized tomography scans and gastrografin esophagogram revealed lower esophageal rupture. Right mini-thoracotomy with esophageal repair was performed. Postoperative course was uneventful.

Discussion: The exact mechanism of blunt esophageal injury remains uncertain. This report described a unique location of esophageal rupture after blunt trauma that happened on the right side. Diagnosis of esophageal injury needs high index of suspicion and accurate diagnostic workup.

Conclusion: Prompt diagnosis and management are the key for better prognosis in patients with blunt esophageal injury.

Keywords: Blunt trauma; Esophageal injury; Fall of heavy object.