Boerhaave's syndrome

Boerhaave's syndrome (also called Boerhaave syndrome) is rupture of the esophagus. It is generally caused by excessive vomiting, although it may rarely occur in extremely forceful coughing or other situations. It can cause pneumomediastinum and/or mediastinitis (air or inflammation of the mediastinum) and sepsis.

Its treatment includes immediate antibiotic therapy to prevent mediastinitis and sepsis, surgical repair of the perforation, and if there is significant fluid loss it should be replaced with IV fluid therapy since oral rehydration is, obviously, not possible. This condition was first documented by Herman Boerhaave after whom it is named.