---

---

Boerhaave’s Syndrome

Other Known Aliases – none

Definition – esophageal rupture from forceful vomiting

Clinical Significance – This rupture occurs as a result of sudden increased intraesophageal pressure with negative intrathoracic pressure and the associated tear is most commonly located on the left posterolateral aspect of the distal esophagus. Gastric contents then invade the mediastinum and cause mediastinitis, necrosis, and severe bacterial infection that can lead to significant mortality.

History – Named after Herman Boerhaave (1668-1738), who was a Dutch physician and earned his medical doctorate from the University of Harderwijk in 1693. He went on to earn a professorship at the University of Leiden in 1701, speaking on medicine, anatomy, botany, chemistry, and philosophy. It was during his time here that his repuatation as a skilled orator and teacher made international waves and physicians from all over the world came to listen and learn. He first described his eponymous disease in 1724 after witnessing the death of Baron Jan van Wassenaer after a retching following a particularly gluttonous feast.

---

References

1. Firkin BG and Whitwirth JA.  Dictionary of Medical Eponyms. 2nd ed.  New York, NY; Parthenon Publishing Group. 1996.
2. Bartolucci S, Forbis P.  Stedman’s Medical Eponyms.  2nd ed.  Baltimore, MD; LWW.  2005.
3. Yee AJ, Pfiffner P. (2012).  Medical Eponyms (Version 1.4.2) [Mobile Application Software].  Retrieved http://itunes.apple.com.
4. Whonamedit – dictionary of medical eponyms. http://www.whonamedit.com
5. Up To Date. www.uptodate.com
6. Boerhaave H. Atrocis, nec descripti prius, morbii historia: secundum medicae artis leges conscripta. Leiden, the Netherlands: Lugduni Batavorum Boutesteniana, 1724
7. Underwood EA. Boerhaave after three hundred years. British medical journal. 1968; 4(5634):820-5. [pubmed]