Mallory-Weiss syndrome
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Gastrointestinal system
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Mallory-Weiss syndrome
USMLE® Step 1 style questions USMLE
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 mg/dL |
Potassium | 3.8 mg/dL |
Chloride | 100 mg/dL |
Bicarbonate | 33 mg/dL |
Mallory-Weiss syndrome exam links
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.