Injury to the esophagus is rare. Foods and liquids pass through the esophagus from the mouth and into the stomach. The esophagus is designed to be a very strong organ and is virtually impervious. Though, if there is an injury, it has to be detected and treated early with surgical intervention. If untreated can lead to serious conditions and complications. Since the esophagus connects from the mouth and into the stomach, it is quite long and thereby for medical clarity has been divided into three parts: cervical – inside the neck, thoracic – inside the chest and abdominal – inside the stomach area.
Some of the common causes of esophageal injury and perforation are outlined as follows:
Injury to the esophagus can happen in any of the three parts of the esophagus. Patient with injury to esophagus usually feels pain in the area where the injury has occurred. Patients also show a variety of symptoms:
CT Scan :A chest CT scan may be conducted to diagnose cancer or ulcer in the esophagus
Chest X-ray: This is a Gastrografin swallow esophagogram where the patient swallows a contrast material to determine the area or site of rupture and injury to the esophagus.
Flex esophagoscopy :This test is done to determine the expanse of injury and perforation whether transmural or mucosal, to the esophagus.