[Spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus. Two cases recently seen in an intensive care unit]. / Ruptures spontanées de l'oesophage. Deux observations récentes dans un service d'urgences

INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus, also called Boerhaave's syndrome, is rare. Since its clinical manifestations are non specific, it must be evoked when confronted the sudden onset of chest or upper abdominal pain. OBSERVATIONS: Two patients were admitted to the emergency department with severe chest pain associated with vomiting. The CT scan obtained rapidly, revealed the perforation of the oesophagus. Despite early surgical treatment, only one patient survived, the second died of infectious complications. COMMENTS: Boerhaave's syndrome is fatal unless promptly recognized and adequately treated. A CT scan of the chest is the procedure of choice demonstrating the rupture.