Mallory-Weiss Tear

Question 1

What is a M-W tear?

Answer 1

Tear in the mucosal layer of the oesophagus

Question 2

What causes M-W tear?

Answer 2

Occurs after any event raising intragastric pressure, particularly vomiting
- follows episodes of severe vomiting (e.g. alcohol, bulimia in Hx)

Question 3

Presentation of M-W tear?

Answer 3

Blood ‘streaked’ in vomit

Vomiting precedes bleeding

Question 4

How is M-W tear diagnosed?

Answer 4

Endoscopy

- active bleeding, adherent clot, or fibrin visible

Question 5

Management of M-W tear?

Answer 5

Usually resolves itself within 24-48 hours

- may need to be admitted if: actively bleeding, on anticoagulants or have a bleeding tendency