Esophageal injuries.

Esophageal injuries may accompany any type of trauma. A high index of suspicion that esophageal injury has occurred is the most important first step in diagnosing and treating these injuries. Various diagnostic modalities are available to evaluate esophageal injuries, and all should be used judiciously in diagnosing the position and extent of the injury. Therapy depends on the extent of the injury, its anatomic location in the esophagus, and the elapsed time between the injury and repair.