Sharjah, UAE , 18th Feb 2026
What began as sudden, severe chest pain and repeated vomiting for a 24-year-old patient quickly evolved into a rare and potentially fatal medical emergency. Within hours, specialists at NMC Royal Hospital, Sharjah diagnosed an esophageal perforation, a tear in the food pipe that requires immediate intervention to prevent serious infection and organ complications. Esophageal perforation is uncommon but carries significant risk if treatment is delayed. Rapid recognition and decisive action are critical.
Rapid Diagnosis
Upon arrival at the Emergency Department, the patient’s symptoms initially resembled more common conditions, including cardiac or gastrointestinal distress. However, clinical evaluation and imaging raised concern for a tear in the esophageal wall.
“A perforation of the esophagus is a true race against time,” explained Dr. Hamid Yousuf, Consultant Gastroenterologist. “If not managed promptly, it can lead to severe infection in the chest cavity and life-threatening complications. Early diagnosis makes all the difference.”
Rapid and effective minimally invasive treatment
Recognising the urgency, Dr. Yousuf and the gastroenterology team proceeded with emergency therapeutic endoscopy, a minimally invasive approach that allows both direct visualisation and immediate treatment.
During the procedure, a specialised esophageal stent was carefully placed to seal the tear and prevent leakage into surrounding tissues. This internal support allowed the damaged area to heal while avoiding the need for major open surgery.
“Modern endoscopy has evolved beyond diagnosis,” said Dr. Yousuf. “It is now a powerful therapeutic tool. By sealing the tear internally, we stabilised the patient quickly and reduced the risks associated with more invasive surgical procedures.”
The patient responded well to the intervention and made a complete recovery under close multidisciplinary care.
Identifying the Underlying Cause
Beyond repairing the acute injury, the team sought to understand why such a severe event occurred in a young individual. During the same endoscopic session, targeted biopsies were obtained for further analysis which revealed a previously undiagnosed condition, Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disorder of the esophagus which in rare cases can lead to spontaneous tearing. Because early symptoms such as persistent swallowing difficulty, recurrent food impaction or unexplained chest discomfort can be subtle or intermittent, many young adults remain undiagnosed until a serious complication occurs.
Recovery and Prevention
With the diagnosis established, the patient was started on a structured long-term management plan, including dietary modifications and medical therapy aimed at controlling inflammation and preventing recurrence.
This case underscores three critical messages for the community:
- Serious medical emergencies can occur even in young, otherwise healthy individuals.
- Advanced, minimally invasive treatments are transforming outcomes in life-threatening situations.
- Unusual symptoms of any kind should not be ignored. Early medical evaluation can prevent complications and significantly improve long-term health outcomes.
At NMC Royal Hospital, Sharjah, the integration of rapid emergency response, advanced endoscopic capability and comprehensive diagnostic investigation continues to redefine how complex gastrointestinal emergencies are managed.
About NMC Royal Hospital, Sharjah
NMC Royal Hospital, Sharjah is a leading tertiary healthcare facility in the UAE, delivering patient-centred, evidence-based care across a wide range of specialities. With advanced minimally invasive technologies and multidisciplinary expertise, the hospital remains committed to providing high standards of medical excellence to the community.
