Boerhaave's syndrome complicating status epilepticus.

Boerhaave's syndrome, first described in 1724, is a spontaneous transmural perforation of the oesophagus, typically caused by forced emesis. It is classically associated with the 'Mackler triad' of vomiting, lower thoracic pain and subcutaneous emphysema. It is the most lethal perforation of the gastrointestinal tract with an estimated mortality of 20-40% (de Schipper et al, 2009).