Mallory-Weiss syndrome

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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Overview

Mallory-Weiss syndrome refers to bleeding from tears (a Mallory-Weiss tear) in the mucosa at the junction of the stomach and esophagus, usually caused by severe retching, coughing, or vomiting. It is often associated with alcoholism and eating disorders and there is some evidence that presence of a hiatal hernia is a required predisposing condition.

Historical Perspective

The condition was first described in 1929 by G. Kenneth Mallory and Soma Weiss in 15 alcoholic patients .

Diagnosis

Symptoms

Mallory-Weiss syndrome often presents as an episode of vomiting up blood (hematemesis) after violent retching or vomiting, but may also be noticed as old blood in the stool (melena), and a history of retching may be absent. In most cases, the bleeding stops spontaneously after 24-48 hours, but endoscopic or surgical treatment is sometimes required and rarely the condition is fatal.

Endoscopy

Definitive diagnosis is by endoscopy.

Treatment

Treatment is usually supportive as persistent bleeding is uncommon. However cauterization or injection of epinephrine to stop the bleeding may be undertaken during the index endoscopy procedure. Very rarely embolization of the arteries supplying the region may be required to stop the bleeding.

Related Chapters

• Boerhaave syndrome
• Hematemesis