Conservative surgical treatment of a profoundly immunosuppressed pediatric patient with Boerhaave syndrome

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2005 Nov;27(11):616-7. doi: 10.1097/01.mph.0000188113.42576.96.

Abstract

Boerhaave syndrome is a condition described as spontaneous rupture of the esophagus that often results in mediastinitis, sepsis, and death. The authors report a case of Boerhaave syndrome in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. At the time of diagnosis (10 days after rupture), the patient had an absolute neutrophil count of 0 and was treated with T-tube drainage of the perforation. The T-tube was removed 2 months after the operation. The patient has required three endoscopic esophageal dilatations of a mild esophageal stricture. He remains in remission from his leukemia, has normal growth and development, and is on a regular diet.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Esophageal Diseases / blood
  • Esophageal Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Esophageal Diseases / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Infant
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Male
  • Neutrophils / pathology
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy
  • Radiography
  • Remission Induction
  • Rupture, Spontaneous
  • Syndrome