[Intramural perforation of the oesophagus (author's transl)].

The authors have seen four patients with perforation into the wall of the oesophagus and have reviewed 17 others described in the literature. They discuss the appearances, causes, symptoms and radiological characteristics of this condition and also deal with its treatment. It is important to differentiate the clinical picture of this type of perforation from cardiac infarcts, aortic dissection and also from transmural perforation, since the treatment varies widely.