The Mallory-Weiss syndrome. A prospective study in 130 patients.
The clinical features of the Mallory-Weiss syndrome were prospectively documented in 130 of 1 667 patients submitted to endoscopy for gastro-intestinal haemorrhage, an incidence of 7,8%. The important clinical features found in these patients were: alcohol abuse (21%); retching or vomiting (38%); salicylate ingestion (36%); dyspepsia (39%). The correct clinical diagnosis was therefore often difficult to make. Additional lesions were found in 40% of patients at endoscopy. Blood loss was relatively small, and surgery was not required in any patient. The 2 deaths that occurred were not attributable to haemorrhage. A high index of suspicion and early endoscopy are required to establish the diagnosis.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008309:Mallory-Weiss Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D008875:Middle Aged