An esophageal perforation is a hole in the esophagus, the tube through which food passes from the mouth to the stomach.

Perforation of the esophagus

A perforation is a hole through which the contents of the esophagus can pass into the mediastinum, the surrounding area in the chest. This often results in infection of the mediastinum (mediastinitis).

The most common cause of an esophageal perforation is injury during a medical procedure. However, because flexible instruments are now used this rarely occurs.

The esophagus may also become perforated as the result of:

• A tumor
• Gastric reflux with ulceration
• Previous surgery on the esophagus
• Swallowing a foreign object or caustic chemicals, such as household cleaners, disk batteries, and battery acid
• Trauma or injury to the chest and esophagus
• Violent vomiting

Less common causes include injuries to the esophagus area (blunt trauma) and injury to the esophagus during an operation on another organ near the esophagus.

Images

Digestive system organs

Next Section

Esophageal perforation Symptoms

Review Date: 12/13/2010
Reviewed By: George F. Lonstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)