Spontaneous submucosal dissection of the esophagus.

A 41-year-old woman was found to have had spontaneous submucosal dissection of the esophagus by esophagoscopy. Food ingestion was postulated to have been an initiating factor in this instance. Conservative therapy was sufficient in this case. Patients who complain of sore throat with retrosternal pain and an obstructed sensation on swallowing or mild hematemesis should be examined by esophagoscopy for evidence of this disorder.