Acute oesophageal necrosis: an important differential in the elderly population with haematemesis.

Acute oesophageal necrosis is a rare cause of haematemesis associated with high mortality and morbidity in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities. Acute oesophageal necrosis is thought to be caused by a combination of hypoperfusion, vascular disease and duodenal disease causing transient gastric outlet obstruction and therefore reflux of gastric contents. The subsequent necrosis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.