A 28-year-old man is brought to the emergency department for evaluation of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The patient had spent the evening at a bar with friends and consumed 7-10 shots of liquor. Shortly after leaving the bar, he felt nauseated and vomited multiple times. The last episode of vomiting produced bright red emesis. The patient denies dyspnea or recent trauma. Past medical history is notable for asthma, for which he takes albuterol as needed. His vitals are within normal limits. Physical examination reveals a thin male in mild distress. Cardiac, pulmonary, and abdominal exams are noncontributory. The patient has no additional episodes of hematemesis. Laboratory testing reveals the following findings: Laboratory value Result Sodium 139 mEq/dL (reference range: 136-146 mg/dL) Potassium 3.8 mEq/dL (reference range: 3.5-5 mEq/dL) Chloride 100 mEq/dL (reference range: 95-105 mEq/dL) Bicarbonate 33 mEq/dL (reference range: 22-28 mEq/dL) Which of the following would be most useful in providing a definitive diagnosis of the patient’s condition?

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy

Computed tomography of the chest

Mallory-Weiss syndrome

Foundational SciencesPathologyGastrointestinal systemDisorders of the oral cavity, salivary glands, and esophagusEsophagus

Organ SystemsGastrointestinal systemPathologyDisorders of the oral cavity, salivary glands, and esophagusEsophagus

Definitions & Key takeaways

Mallory-Weiss syndrome, also known as gastroesophageal laceration syndrome, refers to longitudinal laceration(s) in the mucosa at the junction of the stomach and esophagus. This can lead to bleeding especially following forceful vomiting.

Mallory-Weiss syndrome is commonly seen in people with alcoholism or bulimia, but it can also be found in other conditions associated with forceful vomiting's such as food poisoning. People with Mallory-Weiss Syndrome can present with painful hematemesis.

Mallory-Weiss syndrome

Definitions & Key takeaways

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