[Incomplete spontaneous esophageal rupture - a variant of the Mallory-Weiss and Boerhaave syndrome?].

Belching and severe vomiting may lead in association with gastro-oesophageal prolapse to a variety of lesions within the gastro-oesophageal junction. Incarceration of the prolapse, diffuse hemorrhage from the prolapsed mucosa, longitudinal lacerations (Mallory-Weiss syndrome), intramural hematoma and spontaneous rupture (Boerhaave syndrome) are the most common complications. Based on 4 cases of incomplete rupture of the oesophagus we would like to draw attention to a disorder with mediastinal emphysema or pneumopericardium following severe vomiting. It is postulated that air escapes from a mucosal tear in the terminal oesophagus into the mediastinum. Conservative treatment seems justified.