Spontaneous perforation of an oesophageal diverticulum; report of a case with survival.

Spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus is a medical emergency the outcome of which is often fatal. Although considered rare, 200 cases were collected from the medical literature by Moynihan in 1952. However, the diagnosis of this condition is frequently overlooked or may be made in terminal states or post-mortem. Early detection with surgical repair may mean the difference between survival or death. Perforation of an oesophageal diverticulum presents the same type of emergency. The present case of a perforation of an oesophageal diverti-