Spontaneous esophageal perforation presenting as meningitis

This report describes a unique case of spontaneous esophageal perforation (Boerhaave’s syndrome) presenting as meningitis. After a delay in diagnosis (16 days), the patient was successfully treated with debridement, primary closure, and drainage. Although rare, central nervous system infections have been reported in association with esophageal perforation caused by instrumentation, trauma, and malignancy. We report this case of spontaneous esophageal perforation giving rise to meningitis.