Assessment of Mallory-Weiss syndrome: Video, Causes, Symptoms | Osmosis

Question

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?

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?

Accepted Answer

&#160;Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy&#160;

Answer

Chest radiograph

Answer

Esophageal barium swallow

Answer

Computed tomography of the chest

Answer

Blood alcohol level

Mallory-Weiss syndrome

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Mallory-Weiss syndrome

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Mallory-Weiss syndrome

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