Malory-Weis syndrome based on own experience - diagnostics and modern principles of management

Every gastrointestinal bleeding is an immediate threat to life, requiring close supervision in a hospital setting and making it mandatory to perform verification and endoscopic intervention. In some cases of a dynamic course, in order to make up deficiencies, it is necessary to use blood and blood products. One of the causes of bleeding located proximally to the ligament of Treitz is damage to the mucous membrane and deeper layers of the gastroesophageal junction, called Mallory-Weiss syndrome. The aim of the study was retrospective analysis of a selected group of patients with symptomatic upper gastrointestinal bleeding in the course of Mallory-Weiss syndrome, identification of typical characteristics of this disease entity in the studied population as well as demonstration of the effectiveness of endoscopic treatment using argon plasma coagulation (APC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The analysis included 2120 gastroscopy results, with 111 (5.24%) examinations conducted due to symptomatic gastrointestinal bleeding. In the studied group, endoscopic diagnosis of Mallory-Weiss syndrome was made in 22 patients (1.04%).

RESULTS

The studied disease entity was the cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in 19.82% of cases. Although this condition is usually characterised by a mild and self-limiting course, 59.09% of patients in the studied group required therapeutic endoscopic intervention due to active bleeding. In 54.55%, argon plasma coagulation was successfully used to control the source of bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Early gastroscopy, which remains both a diagnostic and therapeutic intervention, guarantees effective control of the clinical course of Mallory-Weiss syndrome. Endoscopic argon plasma coagulation is an effective way to treat bleeding, used in endoscopic monotherapy or in combination with other procedures.

Asymptomatic Free Air Caused by Mallory-Weiss Tears during Endoscopy

An 80-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer which extended from the antrum to the bulbus of the duodenum. Although the patient did not struggle or retch during endoscopy, multiple mucosal lacerations were observed in the proximal stomach by Mallory-Weiss tears. No evidence of perforation was identified at the sites. The day after endoscopy, computed tomography revealed free air close to the gastric cardia, but the patient did not complain of any symptoms; she was able to consume a normal diet and did not require any treatment.

[The role of surrogate alcoholic beverages in the development of hemorrhage in the patients presenting with Mallory-Weiss syndrome]

The objective of the present work was to study the pathological changes in various organs and tanatogenesis associated with Mallory-Weiss syndrome making use of the forensic medical and clinical materials. It was shown that the main cause of unrestrained vomiting resulting from alcoholic intoxication and leading to perfusive bleeding is not only the direct action of ethanol and surrogate alcohol on gastroesophageal mucosa and induced thrombocytopenia. Another cause may be brain oedema with subsequent cerebral herniation and irritation of the pseudobulbar centres responsible for the initiation of the vomiting reflex. The authors propose recommendations for forensic medical diagnostics of the cases of such hemorrhage.

The Blatchford score is an useful index in the management of Mallory-Weiss tear and gastrointestinal bleeding: experience from an urban community hospital

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of individual clinical parameters as well as a composite index like the Blatchford score in predicting the need for endoscopic intervention and prognosticating the out come in patients with Mallory Weiss tear presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed our endoscopy database and our EMR system to identify patients with Mallory Weiss tear and collect relevant data.

RESULTS

A total of 38 cases with Mallory-Weiss tear were identified at our center over a 5 year period. Thirty-two patients presented with gastrointestinal bleeding constituting 3.1% of all cases presenting with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Nine (28%) of 32 patients were found to have active bleeding or stigmata of recent bleeding at endoscopy and required endoscopic therapy. The Blatchford score ranged from 0 to 11 in the patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. Nine patients had a Blatchford score < 6 (four 0, five 1-4) while 23 patients had a score > 6. None of the patients with a score < 6 required endoscopic intervention or a blood transfusion while 9 (39%) patients with a score > 6 required endoscopic intervention and 17 (74%) required a blood transfusion. Length of stay was significantly longer in patients with a score > 6.

CONCLUSIONS

The Blatchford score can be a useful index to risk stratify patients with Mallory Weiss tear who present with gastrointestinal bleeding with regards to hospital admission and identifying patients who warrant urgent endoscopic intervention, require blood transfusion and are likely to have a longer length of stay.

Mallory-Weiss syndrome: clinical and endoscopic characteristics

BACKGROUND

Mallory-Weiss syndrome is defined by upper gastrointestinal bleeding from vomiting-induced mucosal lacerations at the esophago-gastric junction. This study was purposed to investigate the incidence, location, clinical manifestation, diagnosis and effectiveness of treatment (including endoscopic treatment and conservative medical treatment) of Mallory-Weiss syndrome in China.

METHODS

All patients who received emergency upper gastrointestinal endoscopy due to Mallory-Weiss syndrome from September 2007 to August 2011 at gastrointestinal endoscopy center of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University were included in this study. The clinical presentation, medical history, location and characteristics of Mallory-Weiss syndrome methods and effectiveness of therapy of patients with Mallory-Weiss syndrome were retrospectively analyzed by chart reviews. Long-term follow-up data were collected at outpatient clinics or telephone interviews.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients were diagnosed with Mallory-Weiss syndrome, which account for 3.08% of 519 patients with acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Common comorbidities were found in one patient with hepatic cirrhosis. Conservative medical treatment, local injection, hemoclipping, or multipolar electrocoagulation produced primary hemostasis in 87.5% (14/16) of patients.

CONCLUSION

Mallory-Weiss syndrome is uncommon in China in comparison with reported experience in the west when the same group of patients is selected. Different approaches to treatment are to be recommended depending on whether or not active hemorrhage is present.

[Mallory-Weiss lesions]

INTRODUCTION

Mallory-Weiss syndrome (MW) has been know since 1929. Only few studies exist which focus on the prognosis of the lesion. No Danish MW data are available. The purpose of the study was to describe the demographics of patients admitted with an MW to a Danish surgical unit during a 5-year period and to investigate the prognosis of these patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data from the patient records of 49 patients with endoscopically verified MW admitted through a five-year period were analysed. At follow-up, 35 patients were alive and contacted. A total of 29 responded. The mean time to follow-up from admittance was 42.7 months (range: 10.1-77.1).

RESULTS

Haemostasis was achieved in all 49 patients. Sixteen received active therapy during the endoscopic procedure. Haemoglobin at admittance was lower (p = 0.008), the presence of bleeding stigmata higher (p < 0.0001) and the number of patients receiving blood transfusion higher (p = 0.01) among those receiving active therapy than among the group receiving no therapy at the time of their endoscopy. At follow-up, 50% of those receiving active therapy were dead (eight of 16) compared with 18% (six of 33) in the no-therapy group (p = 0.02). In the follow-up period, 10% of the patients admitted with an MW were re-admitted for a new gastrointestinal bleeding.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggests that an attitude change is needed toward MW with bleeding stigmata. The course of the disease may not be as benign as generally believed. Further prospective studies designed to resolve this matter are needed.

[The treatment of patients with Mallory-Weiss syndrome]

Results of treatment of 345 patients with Mallory-Weiss syndrome were analyzed. Classification of the disease with a glance on stages and bleeding activity was given. Methods of hemostasis and indications for the surgical interference were discussed. The importance of consideration and respective treatment of the concomitant gastrointestinal diseases or alcohol intoxication was stressed.

[Clinical characteristics of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in a tertiary referral center]

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is still responsible for significant morbidity in spite of various therapeutic advances. The aims of this study were to evaluate the success rate in managing UGIB and predicting factors that affected clinical courses.

METHODS

From August 2003 to April 2005, medical data (registered in a standard database categories) of 318 patients who underwent endoscopic examination to evaluate UGIB were analyzed. Early and final treatment success rates were evaluated on the next day and 14 days after the initial endoscopic procedures respectively (or the day of discharge).

RESULTS

Main causes of UGIB were peptic ulcer (50.9%), varices (28.3%), Mallory-Weiss syndrome (10.3%). Endoscopic treatments were tried in 200 patients (63.0%). Number of patients who underwent operation and deaths were 4 (1.3%) and 13 (4.1%), respectively. Early and final success rates were 86.2% and 94.0%. Independent prognostic factors related with early success rates were volume of transfusion (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.72-0.89, p<0.001) and bleeding during the ventilator care (OR 0.03, 95% CI 0.01-0.31, p<0.001), whereas those factors related with final success rates were volume of transfusion (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.69-0.90, p<0.001), bleeding during the stay in intensive care unit (ICU) (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.13-0.49, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Early and final success rates of bleeding control were 86.2% and 94.0% in acute UGIB. Volume of transfusion, bleeding during ICU state or ventilator state were important predictive factors of the treatment failure.

Chirurgische Therapie und Verlauf nach spontaner Ösophagusruptur

INTRODUCTION

Esophageal perforations occur spontaneously or as a complication of endoscopic procedures. Especially in spontaneous perforation there is ongoing debate regarding the best treatment options.

METHODS

24 patients that were treated at two surgical centers (University Halle, City-hospital Bielefeld) after spontaneous esophageal perforations between 1996 and 2005 were analysed retrospectively.

RESULTS

All patients but one underwent surgical treatment with in 2 cases additional stent implantation. Average stay in hospital was 53 days. In-hospital-lethality was 25% (overall lethality 37.5%). Concerning the therapeutic outcome there was no link between patients' age, localization or size of the perforation and the time interval between perforation and treatment. In 22 patients diagnosis was made > 12hrs after the event.

CONCLUSIONS

Main problem of the Boerhaave-syndrome is the septic-toxic disease. Prognostic criteria are the patients' health-state and not factors like size of perforation, time of delay or localization of the perforation. Since in case of survival esophageal resection shows good long-term-results, in doubt a radical surgical procedure should be recommended as primary option. Implanting an esophageal stent might become a useful mean of treating patients with spontaneous perforations.

The frequency of peptic ulcer as a cause of upper-GI bleeding is exaggerated

BACKGROUND

Peptic ulcer disease is considered the cause of upper-GI bleeding in 50% of cases. A recent decline in the proportion of cases of upper-GI bleeding because of a peptic ulcer was noted by us. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the frequency of peptic ulcer in patients with upper-GI bleeding and the proportion of bleeding peptic ulcers with a non-bleeding visible vessel.

METHODS

Patients with upper-GI bleeding seen from December 1999 until April 2001 at a tertiary, university-affiliated medical center were studied prospectively. The Clinical Outcome Research Initiative (CORI) database was used to correlate the single institution data with nationwide data. Endoscopic data in the CORI database for patients who had endoscopy for upper-GI bleeding between December 1999 and July 2001 were retrieved and analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 126 patients were included in the prospective study. The endoscopic findings were: peptic ulcer in 31.8%: 95% confidence interval (CI) [23.7%, 40.6%] of patients; a non-bleeding visible vessel was present in 10%: 95% CI[2.8%, 23.7%] of these peptic ulcers. From the nationwide CORI database, data for 7822 patients with upper-GI bleeding were obtained. The endoscopic findings were: peptic ulcer in 20.6%:95% CI[19.7%, 21.5%] of patients with upper-GI bleeding; a non-bleeding visible vessel was present in 7.3%: 95% CI[6.1%, 8.6%] of the ulcers.

CONCLUSIONS

The frequency of peptic ulcer in patients with upper-GI bleeding and the proportion of bleeding ulcers with a non-bleeding visible vessel are less than previously reported.

[Acute hemorrhage of the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract--survey of emergency endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract at our facility]

INTRODUCTION

Acute upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality and is a reason for urgent endoscopy. Besides an age and associated diseases, prognosis of patients influence also localisation and type of bleeding. The aim of our retrospective analysis was to discover causes of bleeding into upper GI tract and its characteristics over a 4 year period.

METHODOLOGY

A survey of urgent upper GI tract endoscopies in the Clinic of Internal Medicine in Motol in Prague because of an acute GI tract bleeding (hematemesis or melena) was done. Found ulcers were assessed using Forrest classification. Moreover, number and causes of recurrences of bleeding were also assessed.

RESULTS

Within years 1998-2001 an urgent upper GI endoscopy because of bleeding (hematemesis or melena) was done in the Clinic of Internal Medicine in Prague in Motol in 1639 patients of an average age 62.2. 56% were men (average age 59) and 44% were women (average age 65.3). An endoscopy finding without pathology was present in 21.4%. The most frequent sources of bleeding were ulcers in duodenal bulb (20%), stomach ulcers (18.2%), and hemorrhagic gastropathy (16.5%) and varices (10.3%). Results of the Forrest classification in the ulcerative disease of stomach and duodenum were as follows: Forrest Ia 9.5%, Ib 24%, IIa 14.6%, IIb 18.7%, IIc 22.9%, III 10.3%. Recurrent bleeding was identified in 8.4% of patients, thereof bleeding from esophageal varices experienced 2.9% of patients (average age 45.8), bleeding from ulcers in bulbus 2.7% (Forrest Ib, IIa a IIb) of patients of an average age 62.6, and bleeding from ulcers in stomach 2.1% (Forrest Ia, IIa a Ib) of patients of an average age 62.5. Causes of recurrent bleeding were in one case bleeding from Barrett's oesophageal ulcer and in one case bleeding from ulcer in diaphragmatic hernia. Within 48 hours recurrent bleeding appeared in 65% of patients.

CONCLUSION

Urgent endoscopy in gastrointestinal tract bleeding is an essential part of a complex medical care. It is highly reliable in identifying cause of bleeding, it enables to start treatment immediately and to consider prognosis of a patient.

A case of Mallory-Weiss syndrome complicating pregnancy in a patient with scleroderma

The majority of patients with scleroderma have gastrointestinal involvement, and a few experience gastrointestinal hemorrhage, however, gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to Mallory-Weiss syndrome is very rare. We report upon a 24-year-old pregnant woman with scleroderma who had gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to Mallory-Weiss syndrome.

Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis with Mallory-Weiss syndrome: report of a case

A 62-year-old man with a chief complaint of coughing up blood was revealed to have Mallory-Weiss syndrome with arterial bleeding by gastrointestinal endoscopy at the esophagogastric junction, and two teardrop-shaped fissures were found longitudinally extending into the muscle layer. Endoscopic treatment with ethanol injection and the administration of a thrombin solution spray failed to control the arterial bleeding. Hemostasis was finally archived by suturing the fissures under an open laparotomy. A postoperative barium esophagogram showed multiple flask-shaped outpouchings in the thoracic esophagus, and a diagnosis of esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis (EIPD) was thus made. EIPD is usually accompained with esophageal strictures but esophageal bleeding is rare.

[Endoscopic treatment of bleeding due to Mallory-Weiss syndrome]

Experience in diagnosis and treatment of 276 patients with Mallory--Weiss syndrome (MWS) is presented. Definition of the syndrome and brief historical review (from first description of disruption of esophageal-gastric connection to first report of successful hemostasis through endoscope) are given. Particular attention is devoted to etiology and pathogenesis of this syndrome. Clinical material and picture of disease, results of endoscopic diagnosis are analyzed, efficacy of endoscopic hemostasis and prophylaxis of hemorrhage is demonstrated. Indications to various methods of endoscopic hemostasis are regarded, results of treatment and lethal outcomes are analyzed. It is demonstrated that endoscopic procedures are the method of choice in the treatment of this disease reducing emergency surgery rate to 0.4%.

Endoscopic injection therapy in bleeding Mallory-Weiss syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic injection is widely used in the therapy of bleeding gastroduodenal ulcers, but its role in the management of bleeding Mallory-Weiss tears has not been properly assessed.

METHODS

Sixty-three patients undergoing emergency endoscopy in whom there was a high index of suspicion that a Mallory-Weiss tear was the source of bleeding were randomly assigned to undergo endoscopic injection therapy (epinephrine and polidocanol) or no endoscopic therapy in 2 university-affiliated hospitals. Rates of recurrent bleeding, transfusion requirements, complications, mortality, and length of hospital stay were determined for both groups of patients.

RESULTS

Bleeding recurred in 8 patients in the control group versus only 2 in the endoscopic treatment group (25.8% vs. 6.2%, p < 0.05). Hospital stay was longer for the control group (5.5 +/- 0.2, median 6.0, range 2.0-8.0 days vs. 3.4 +/- 0.2, median 3.0, range 2.0-6.0 days; p < 0.001). There was a trend toward a higher transfusion requirement after endoscopy in the control group versus the patients treated by injection (0.9 +/- 0.2, median 0.0, range 0.0-4.0 units vs. 0.2 +/- 0.1, median 0.0, range 0.0-2.0 units; p = 0.09). No complications or adverse events caused by endoscopic injection were noted. Two patients in the control group died of causes unrelated to bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic injection therapy is a useful option in the management of patients with Mallory-Weiss syndrome at high risk for recurrent bleeding.

Efficacy of endoscopic isotonic saline-epinephrine injection for the management of active Mallory-Weiss tears

Therapeutic endoscopy with isotonic saline-epinephrine (ISE) injection is a convenient and widely used procedure for hemostasis in upper gastrointestinal bleeding. We retrospectively evaluated 36 patients (from January 1996 to April 1999) who had been diagnosed with recent or active bleeding due to Mallory-Weiss tears in emergency endoscopic examination. The endoscopic hemostatic method with ISE injection was performed in 15 of 36 patients. The other 21 patients received conservative treatment with hemodynamic support. Patient's clinical data, laboratory data, transfusion requirements, endoscopic findings, and length of hospital stays were evaluated. Initial hemoglobin was significantly lower in the ISE group than the conservative treatment group (9.74 +/- 2.86 g/dL vs. 12.57 +/- 2.80 g/dL, respectively; p < 0.01). Mean transfusion requirements were significantly higher in the ISE group than the conservative treatment group (7.26 +/- 8.78 units vs. 2.85 +/- 6.21 units, respectively; p < 0.1). Patients in the ISE group were supposed to be having a more severe bleeding episode. Most patients achieved initial hemostasis in the ISE group and the conservative treatment group (93% and 95%, respectively). The rebleeding rate was also similar in both groups (1 in 15 in the ISE group and I in 21 in the conservative treatment group). There was no significant difference in length of hospital stay and rebleeding between these two groups (3.47 +/- 1.92 days vs. 2.47 +/- 1.47 days, respectively: p = 0.89). The endoscopic ISE injection is an inexpensive, simple, convenient therapeutic method and it can achieve initial hemostasis for active Mallory-Weiss tears.

Mallory-Weiss syndrome in children

The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence and the etiology of Mallory-Weiss syndrome in children. The study population comprised 2720 children aged 5 months to 18 years who had undergone upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Mallory-Weiss syndrome was diagnosed in eight (0.3%) of the examined children. Endoscopic examination in five of them revealed linear mucosal tears, mostly above and in one case also below the gastroesophageal junction. In three children a linear scar in the lower portion of the esophagus was seen. No signs of active bleeding were revealed in any of the cases. In four children, Mallory-Weiss syndrome was accompanied by gastritis and duodenitis; two of these children had Helicobacter pylori infection. The concomitant diseases were H. pylori-positive duodenal ulcer (1), bronchial asthma and gastroesophageal reflux disease (1), carbon monoxide poisoning (1). In one case Mallory-Weiss syndrome was diagnosed in early pregnancy. Mallory-Weiss syndrome should be considered, along with others, as a cause of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in children. There is a great variety of etiologic factors in Mallory-Weiss syndrome in children.

Mallory-Weiss syndrome: clinical features and management

OBJECTIVE

To report the clinical features, endoscopic appearance, management and outcome of patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to Mallory-Weiss tear seen at our institution during the last seven years.

METHODS

A retrospective study of all patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding seen during the last seven years was performed. Patients who were bleeding from longitudinal non-perforating tear(s) of the gastro-oesophageal mucosa were included in the study and their clinical features, endoscopic appearance management and outcome were recorded.

RESULTS

During the study period 426 patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding were seen. Sixty-six (15.5%) of these were found to have bled or were bleeding from Mallory-Weiss tear(s). Twenty-seven (41%) patients with Mallory-Weiss tear had no antecedent nausea, retching, abdominal pain or vomiting. Two patients had portal hypertension and a solitary case bled from an iatrogenic tear induced during routine upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Multiple bleeding episodes were seen in 12% of cases. Twenty (30%) patients needed endoscopic sclerotherapy. Haemostasis was achieved in all. Except retrosternal pain, no procedure related complications were seen.

CONCLUSIONS

Mallory-Weiss tear is a common cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Nearly half of the patients have no antecedent symptoms and presented for the first time with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopic therapy is very effective and safe in producing haemostasis in these patients.

Endoscopic ligation for non-esophageal variceal upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic ligation can be used for bleeding lesions in non-fibrotic tissue; however, only small numbers of patients with non-esophageal variceal upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage have been treated in this way. To evaluate the utility of the technique, we performed the procedure to treat hemorrhage not from esophageal varices during emergency endoscopy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Bleeding was identified from gastric Dieulafoy's ulcers (n=4), duodenal ulcers (n=3), gastric angiodysplasia (n=2) and Mallory-Weiss tears (n=3). The bleeding points were aspirated and controlled by endoscopic ligation and complete hemostasis was achieved in all cases.

RESULTS

Although these lesions were located in difficult areas where endoscopic injection therapy and clipping sometimes fail, endoscopic ligation was performed easily and effectively without complications. Six of the patients had severe underlying disease, including acute and chronic myelogenous leukemia, liver cirrhosis and chronic renal failure; none suffered deterioration in their general condition after endoscopic ligation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that endoscopic ligation is an easy and effective method of treatment for patients with gastrointestinal hemorrhage not from esophageal varices, and is safe even in patients with poor general health.

[The surgical procedure in the Mallory-Weiss syndrome]

The authors dealt with treatment of 112 patients aged 27-70 years with the Mallory-Weiss syndrome. The diagnosis was confirmed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Diathermocoagulation was used in order to arrest bleeding. In profuse bleeding the margins of the mucosa fissures were first infiltrated with a solution of adrenaline. The Blakemore [correction of Bleikmorr] probe compression method was also used. Organ-saving operations were performed for continuing and recurrent bleedings. Two elderly patients with severe coexistent disease died. The authors consider that patients with the Mallory-Weiss syndrome must be treated by conservative methods. Operations for disruptions of the esophagus mucosa and acute blood loss will entail great risk.

[Mallory-Weiss syndrome]

Mallory-Weiss syndrome is one of the cause of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, which an abrupt rise in abdominal pressure due to nausea or vomiting induces a tear near the esophagogastric mucosal junction. Mallory-Weiss syndrome represents about 3-15% of all cases of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Mallory-Weiss tear is mainly located on the cardia part of the stomach side and spanning across the esophagogastric mucosal junction, only in esophageal side is rarely seen. Hemorrhage frequently ceases spontaneously. When endoscopic findings reveal persistent hemorrhage, endoscopic hemostatic technique using heater probe thermocoagulation or hemoclipping is necessary. After endoscopic hemostasis, fasting and inhibitors of acid secretion (H2-receptor antagonists or proton pump inhibitors) are recommended.

[The role of endoscopy in determining the indications for the surgical treatment of the Mallory-Weiss syndrome and of bleeding acute gastroduodenal ulcers]

The frequency of acute sources of bleeding has recently increased (47%) in the general picture of gastrointestinal bleedings which makes the improvement of diagnosing "acute" sources of hemorrhage and the development of more perfect methods of nonoperative hemostasis very actual. The authors believe that "Kaprofer" used in most of patients with bleedings from acute ulcers and ruptures of the gastro-esophageal zone mucosa (95%) allows the hemorrhage to be arrested. The treatment can be continued without operative interventions. Search for new hemostatic drugs must be performed in order to obtain reliable and long-term effects of drugs with a minimum aggressive action upon the mucosa.

[Mallory-Weiss syndrome. Clinical cases and review of the literature]

Once considered rare, Mallory-Weiss syndrome is today more frequently reported due to the introduction of endoscopy which reveals this syndrome in up to 15% of hemorrhages of the upper digestive tract. The etiopathogenesis is not limited to the three factors reported by Mallory and Weiss in 1929: vomit, alcohol and hematemesis. An important role is also played by ASA and the like. This syndrome is also frequently associated with hiatus hernia in which it appears to be a complication since the lesion seems to be caused by the difference between intragastric (above all in the pocket of the hiatus hernia) and intrathoracic transmural pressure. Every increase in the pressure gradient at this level appears to cause fissuration at the cardioesophageal junction. Even endoscopy using rigid instruments and unsufflation may provoke the onset. Anamnesis and an objective examination, common to other pathologies, are not of great value to diagnosis. Radiology also contributes little, unless an arteriography is performed within the context of a highly selective angiography. Endoscopy is the prime method of diagnosis and, in addition to revealing the site and extent of hemorrhage, may be used to achieve hemostasis. Preendoscopic hemostasis currently uses a wide range of methods ranging from sclerotherapy to the injection of drugs or chemical substances, such as ethanol, adrenalin and thrombin; monopolar and bipolar electrocoagulation, thermal probe, hemoclips and Nd:YAG laser are also used. According to the majority of authors, the course of the syndrome is benign unless there are complications such as mediastinitis, pneumonia ab ingestis or hepatic insufficiency. The degree of bleeding is also decisive and the number of blood units transfused is of particular importance in determining the prognosis. The authors report a 10-year survival rate of approximately 70%.

Mallory-Weiss syndrome in a patient with hemophilia A and chronic liver disease

Eighty percent of hemophiliacs exposed to plasma products are seropositive to hepatitis B and an even higher percentage are seropositive to hepatitis C. Post-transfusion hepatitis is followed by cirrhosis in up to 25% of the cases. In the wake of portal hypertension, the development of oesophageal varices entails the risk of life-threatening hemorrhage. We report on a patient with moderate hemophilia A (factor VIII:C 4-11%) who suffered from massive hematemesis, melaena and evolving shock after excessive alcohol ingestion. The diagnosis of Mallory-Weiss syndrome and the differential diagnosis of bleeding oesophageal varices as well as prognostic consequences are discussed.

Clinical significance of Mallory-Weiss tears

OBJECTIVES

To assess course and outcome of patients with endoscopically diagnosed Mallory-Weiss tear bleeding.

SUBJECTS

Thirty-four subjects seen during a 5-yr period formed the study group.

RESULTS

Available follow-up after index bleed was 27.5 months +/- 2.7 SEM. There was no antecedent explanation for the tear, such as nausea, retching, abdominal pain, or vomiting in 12/28 (42.9%). Hematemesis on first emesis was noted in 13/26 (50%). Mean transfusion requirements were 2.6 +/- 1.0 (SEM) units of packed cells (range, 0-28), and 9/34 (26.5%) received four or more units. Two had therapeutic endoscopy and three required surgery to control bleeding. Thirty-day mortality noted four deaths, all multiorgan system failure related to the bleed. Patients who died had other endoscopic abnormalities, such as ulcers or varices, and all had an alcohol history. Two patients of 20 contacted had recurrent bleeding. One had another tear. The other had intermittent recurrent bleeding and refused care.

CONCLUSIONS

Mallory-Weiss tear bleeding may be significant and recurrent. It may cause death or require transfusion, therapeutic endoscopy, and surgery.

Mechanical gastritis as cause of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage

Mechanical gastritis is confirmed as one of the causes of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, which is created directly by retching and vomiting in a patient with an esophageal hiatal hernia. Five cases of mechanical gastritis are reported in this paper. The clinical presentation of mechanical gastritis and the Mallory-Weiss syndrome may mimic each other. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed the gastric mucosa to be propelled into the esophagus during nausea. This mucosa showed erosions and superficial ulcerations. The mucosa appeared 'congested' at and just below the cardia. It is suggested that the friction and compression of the gastric mucosa prolapsing through a constriction ring of the diaphragm into the hiatal hernia during retching and vomiting may cause mechanical trauma to the gastric mucosa, resulting in gastritis, erosions, and hemorrhage.

Esophageal apoplexy: case report, review, and comparison with other esophageal disorders

Esophageal injuries are potentially serious disorders requiring prompt recognition and management. In addition to the well-recognized Mallory-Weiss and Boerhaave's syndromes, there exists a condition of spontaneous intramural esophageal hemorrhage: esophageal apoplexy. A case of esophageal apoplexy is presented as well as an evaluation of clinical presentations based on a collected review of the 66 cases previously reported. In addition, esophageal apoplexy is contrasted with the Mallory-Weiss and Boerhaave's syndromes, focusing on distinguishing attributes of utility to the emergency practitioner.

[The pathogenesis, clinical picture and diagnosis of the Mallory-Weiss syndrome]

The authors consider that predisposing factors in the development of the Mallory-Weiss syndrome include restriction of mobility of the mucous and submucous layers of the cardia in relation to one another, uncoordinated and oppositely directed contractions of differently oriented muscle layers of the lower third of the esophagus and cardial portion of the stomach, incompetence of the cardial closing apparatus. Rupture of the wall of the stomach and duodenum is associated with an immediate dramatic change of the intragastric pressure. The endoscopic method of examination is thought to be the leading one in diagnosing the Mallory-Weiss syndrome.

The current role of endoscopy in Mallory-Weiss syndrome

We have carried out a retrospective review of 61 patients with Mallory-Weiss syndrome, 9 of whom underwent hemostatic injection treatment. At emergency endoscopy, 3 patients (5%) were actively bleeding and 6 (10%) had stigmata of recent hemorrhage. Fifty-two patients had a lesion of the cardia which was the suspected source of bleeding in 33 cases (54%). In the remaining 19 cases (31%) this site was not considered responsible because other sites of bleeding were present in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The 9 patients with active bleeding or stigmata of recent hemorrhage underwent injection treatment and the other 52 patients were treated with H2 antagonists. The low rebleed rate and the zero mortality recorded in this series indicate that endoscopy is the optimum method for diagnosis and treatment of patients with Mallory-Weiss syndrome.

[Mallory-Weiss syndrome in children]

The article analyzes an experience with treatment of 18 children with the Mallory-Weiss syndrome. Six children were operated upon, one of them died. Questions of pathogenesis of this syndrome in children practice are considered on the basis of anatomo-physiological properties of the child's organism. Attention was paid to the diagnostic and medical role of endoscopy. The tactics of treatment of this disease is recommended based on reference of the blood loss degree and findings of the endoscopic examination.

[Mallory-Weiss syndrome in acute poisoning with non-caustic substances]

The authors presented the results of diagnostic and therapeutic esophagogastroduodenoscopy in the Mallory-Weiss syndrome observed in patients with acute ++non-caustic poisoning. Altogether 47 patients were investigated for suspected gastrointestinal bleeding. The Mallory-Weiss syndrome was detected in 20 (42.5%) patients. Therapeutic endoscopic intervention was performed in 5 cases of this syndrome to stop bleeding.

[Mallory-Weiss syndrome. Surgical treatment after sclerotherapy. Presentation of a case and review of the literature]

We herein report a case of a male patient aged 23, with acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, secondary to ingestion of acetyl salicylic acid. Endoscopy showed a linear laceration in the esophagus-gastric union. Based on endoscopic findings the diagnosis of Mallory-Weiss Syndrome was established. Surgical treatment was required, after sclerotherapy; we reviewed the literature for presenting a general panorama of this pathology.