Laceration of the Distal Esophagus Due to Vomiting (the Mallory-Weiss Syndrome)

Abstract

IN 1929 Mallory and Weiss1 reported on a series of 15 patients who experienced nausea, retching, vomiting and massive gastric hemorrhage after drinking. The source of the bleeding was not determined. Cirrhosis of the liver was suspected, but there was no evidence of it.Post-mortem examination of 4 of these patients showed 2 to 4 definite fissurelike lesions of the esophagogastric junction. These lesions were described as being 3 to 20 mm. in length and 2 or 3 mm. in width, with edges raised and slightly thickened but not indurated. In 3 cases, the lesions were limited to the stomach, . . .