Differentiation from pneumothorax
Boerhaave syndrome can also be mistakenly diagnosed as pneumothorax in some cases. In this case a pneumothorax should therefore be performed. Pneumothorax is a similar spontaneously occurring disease.
By a pneumothorax, one half of the lung collapses. The patient suffers from acute stabbing pain in the chest and sudden shortness of breath. This is followed by a feeling of anxiety and not infrequently the patient loses consciousness.
The pneumothorax can occur due to an injury or spontaneously. In the case of a spontaneous pneumothorax, the cause can be, similar to the Boerhaave syndrome, an excessive intra-abdominal pressure in the abdomen. Here too, treatment should be carried out as quickly as possible so that the patient can breathe more easily again.
By inserting a drainage into the lung gap, the air is removed and the collapsed lung can unfold again. In addition, a defect in the lung skin is sutured by means of an operation. When the normal pressure in the lung gap is restored, the drainage can also be removed.
