A state-of-the-art review of esophageal trauma: where do we stand?

The esophagus provides a diagnostic and therapeutic pathway not only for gastroenterologists but for surgeons, radiologists, cardiologists, and other specialists. Unfortunately, this procedural traffic occasionally leads to iatrogenic injury. As well, though reasonably well protected anatomically, frank esophageal injuries due to non-iatrogenic causes are not uncommon. We present a review of the literature on this subject covering anatomy, etiology, diagnostics, therapeutics, and management generally.