Quick Medical Question

[Ibn Rushd]

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Hey guys, I'd really appreciate if you could help me figure this out.

So basically, a few months ago I got to shadow an ER physician. We saw a patient who he diagnosed as having Boerhaave syndrome. One of the things he pointed out was that upon palpation, the patient's neck felt very rough and spongy. He used a specific word to describe the neck and I've completely forgotten what it was. I'd like to use it in my personal statement so if anyone knows, please tell me! I'd greatly apprecaite it. Thanks in advance.

 

[Ibn Rushd]

Also if someone could go over the basic methodology one ought to employ in diagnosing someone with Boerhaave syndrome, that'd be wonderful! Here's my naive understanding, so please correct me where I'm wrong.

In our case, the patient came in with a chief complaint of repetitive vomiting. It had been going on for more than a week. He appeared dehydrated, so he was started on fluids and anti-nausea medication. Blood was drawn and the patient also had a chest x-ray done. A pneumomediastinum was seen in the x-ray, so an esophogram study and a CT were ordered next. Both confirmed that there was a rupture in the upper esophagus (I wish I could be more specific). The patient was to be taken to surgery to repair the opening, and he would hopefully recover thereafter.

Does that sound like a reasonable progression?

 

[Ashers]

The "spongy" stuff you felt was probably subcutaneous emphysema.

As for the rest of your question: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boerhaave_syndrome

 

[SushiKitty]

Crepitus?

 

[Ibn Rushd]

I think he called it a SCE! Thanks so much guys!

 

[Blesbok]

Its called the human bubble wrap sign.

 

[Ashers]

Its called the human bubble wrap sign.

Which isn't nearly as cool as: http://www.virtual-bubblewrap.com/ A mindless time-waster from college. 😉

 

[TMP-SMX]

Which isn't nearly as cool as: http://www.virtual-bubblewrap.com/ A mindless time-waster from college. 😉

That's a game on the iPhone/iPod Touch.

 

[Ashers]

That's a game on the iPhone/iPod Touch.

Interesting. They must've updated it for the iPhone since bubble wrap is awesome.

I've been going to the website since 2003... as sad as that may be and www.virtualstapler.com since 1999. Ahhh... the freedom of going from dial-up to T1 connections. 🙄