• Boerhaave's syndrome, or spontaneous rupture of the esophagus, may present with atypical chest pain mimicking an acute thoracic aortic dissection. We describe such a case and discuss the utility of a thoracic computed tomographic scan in arriving at a prompt diagnosis. The importance of early diagnosis is reviewed with particular attention to these roentgenographic findings.
(Arch Intern Med 1988;148:223-224)