Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 3 complete abstracts (669 words), 9 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
A condition characterized by mucosal tears at the esophagogastric junction, sometimes with hematemesis. Typically it is caused by forceful bouts of retching or vomiting.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Mallory Weiss Syndrome; Syndrome, Mallory-Weiss; Gastroesophageal Laceration-Hemorrhage; Gastroesophageal Laceration Hemorrhage; Gastroesophageal Laceration-Hemorrhages; Laceration-Hemorrhage, Gastroesophageal; Laceration-Hemorrhages, Gastroesophageal; Mucosal Lacerations-Gastroesophageal Junction.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Esophageal Perforation
Related concepts
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 666 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Mallory-Weiss Syndrome” (counts retrieved 2026-11-04). 9 of them (1.4%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 524 records.
Reviews account for 55 records (8.3%) and meta-analyses for 0. Randomized controlled trials number 7 (1.1%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 524 |
| 2000-2009 | 78 |
| 2010-2019 | 55 |
| 2020 onward | 9 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 55 | 8.3% |
| Meta-analyses | 0 | 0.0% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 7 | 1.1% |
Method: PubMed query "Mallory-Weiss Syndrome"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-11-04.
Reading the evidence in digestive system and liver
Gut and liver research ranges from laboratory studies of the microbiome to large trials of drugs and surgery. Symptoms such as pain, reflux or bowel change are reported by patients and overlap between conditions, and diet and microbiome studies are mostly observational. Check whether the study measured symptoms, tissue findings or long-term outcomes, how the diagnosis was made and how long people were followed. Nothing here replaces advice from a qualified clinician.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transition of a Mallory-Weiss syndrome to a Boerhaave syndrome confirmed by anamnestic, necroscopic, and autopsy data: A case report | 2018 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 12 | cc by PMID 30544378 · DOI · PMC6310542 |
| Rare case of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to accessory spleen: A case report | 2022 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 2 | cc by PMID 35945721 · DOI · PMC9351849 |
| Mallory-Weiss syndrome in four hemodialysis patients: a case study | 2023 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 1 | cc by PMID 37365498 · DOI · PMC10294486 |
Transition of a Mallory-Weiss syndrome to a Boerhaave syndrome confirmed by anamnestic, necroscopic, and autopsy data: A case report [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- RationaleSpontaneous esophageal rupture (Boerhaave syndrome) is a rare, though frequently fatal, event.
- Closing excerpt
- LessonsThis case shows that distal esophageal tears, rather than constituting a distinct entity, may be part of a spectrum of diseases and that a partial lesion of the esophageal wall caused by barogenic injury may evolve into a full-thickness rupture following further barotraumas.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (187 words)
RationaleSpontaneous esophageal rupture (Boerhaave syndrome) is a rare, though frequently fatal, event. It is generally caused by a sudden increase in pressure inside the esophagus. In some cases, full-thickness perforations of the esophagus may develop from previous lesions that initially involve only the esophageal mucosa (Mallory-Weiss syndrome) and which, following further triggering events, give rise to a transmural lesion.Patient concernsHere, we present the case of a 45-year-old subject who suddenly died of acute cardio-respiratory failure, an autopsy was performed to identify the cause of death.Diagnosis, interventions, and outcomesThe autopsy examination revealed a full-thickness rupture of the esophageal wall. Through the integration of necroscopy findings, anamnestic data, and histopathological examination, it has been possible to establish that complete esophageal rupture resulted from the evolution of a previous partial lesion of the esophageal wall, and that an untreated Mallory-Weiss syndrome evolved into a rapidly fatal Boerhaave syndrome.LessonsThis case shows that distal esophageal tears, rather than constituting a distinct entity, may be part of a spectrum of diseases and that a partial lesion of the esophageal wall caused by barogenic injury may evolve into a full-thickness rupture following further barotraumas.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 30544378 · DOI · PMC6310542
Rare case of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to accessory spleen: A case report [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- RationaleUpper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (UGIH) is defined as hemorrhage originating from the gastrointestinal tract proximal to the ligament of Treitz.
- Closing excerpt
- Surgical intervention is necessary for timely diagnosis and treatment in case of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in critical clinical situations.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (281 words)
RationaleUpper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (UGIH) is defined as hemorrhage originating from the gastrointestinal tract proximal to the ligament of Treitz. The causes of UGIH include esophagitis, gastritis, peptic ulcers, Mallory-Weiss syndrome, and cancer. However, a rare cause of UGIH, such as an accessory spleen, may lead to serious complications if left untreated and can sometimes be very difficult to diagnose preoperatively.Patient concernsAn 18-year-old man was admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology of our hospital due to "repeated black stool for 2 months with aggravation, accompanied by hematemesis for 9 days." He denied any history of hepatitis, trauma, or surgery.DiagnosisLaboratory evaluation revealed severe anemia (hemoglobin, 6.4 g/dL). Computed tomography revealed a mass measuring 127 mm in its largest dimension, located in the upper left abdomen, with varicose veins in the gastric fundus. Moreover, distended blue-purple tortuous veins were observed by gastroscopy in the gastric fundus. We believed the mass was likely an abnormally proliferating accessory spleen; however, the causes of severe anemia and gastrointestinal hemorrhage were unknown.InterventionsAfter discussion in a multidisciplinary conference, the mass was completely resected laparoscopically, and the subserosal veins in the gastric fundus were sutured using absorbable threads.OutcomesAfter the surgery, the patient recovered uneventfully without any complications. Clinicopathological examination showed that the mass was chronic congestive splenomegaly. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage secondary to an abnormally proliferating accessory spleen was confirmed as the diagnosis. Laboratory evaluation revealed hemoglobin at 12.1 g/dL 2 months after surgery. At the 12-month follow-up, the patient showed no recurrence of gastrointestinal hemorrhage.LessonsUGIH caused by accessory spleen is extremely rare. This entity should be considered in differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Surgical intervention is necessary for timely diagnosis and treatment in case of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in critical clinical situations.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 35945721 · DOI · PMC9351849
Mallory-Weiss syndrome in four hemodialysis patients: a case study [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundHemodialysis patients are prone to gastrointestinal bleeding, and Mallory-Weiss syndrome (MWS) is one of the causes.
- Closing excerpt
- For patients with mild symptoms, drug hemostasis is the first consideration.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (201 words)
BackgroundHemodialysis patients are prone to gastrointestinal bleeding, and Mallory-Weiss syndrome (MWS) is one of the causes. Mallory-Weiss syndrome is often induced by severe vomiting, manifests as upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and is self-limited with a good prognosis. However, mild vomiting in hemodialysis patients can lead to the occurrence of MWS, and the mild early symptoms are easy to misdiagnose, leading to the aggravation of the disease.Case presentationIn this paper, we report four hemodialysis patients with MWS. All patients displayed symptoms of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The diagnosis of MWS was confirmed by gastroscopy. One patient had a history of severe vomiting; however, the other three reported histories of mild vomiting. Three patients received the conservative hemostasis treatment, and the gastrointestinal bleeding stopped. One patient underwent the gastroscopic and interventional hemostasis treatments. The conditions of three of the patients improved. Unfortunately, one of the patients died due to the cardia insufficiency.ConclusionsWe think that the mild symptoms of MWS are easily covered up by other symptoms. This may lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment. For patients with severe symptoms, gastroscopic hemostasis is still the first choice, and interventional hemostasis can also be considered. For patients with mild symptoms, drug hemostasis is the first consideration.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 37365498 · DOI · PMC10294486
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Evaluation and management of Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding [4]
- Research article Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis with Mallory-Weiss syndrome: report of a case [5]
- Research article Endoscopic hemostasis of nonvariceal, non-peptic ulcer hemorrhage [6]
- Research article Boerhaave syndrome. Case report and literature review [7]
- Research article [Upper gastrointestinal bleeding from rare causes] [8]
- Research article Assessing upper gastrointestinal bleeding in adults [9]
References
- Cuccì M, Caputo F, Fraternali Orcioni G, Roncallo A, Ventura F. Transition of a Mallory-Weiss syndrome to a Boerhaave syndrome confirmed by anamnestic, necroscopic, and autopsy data: A case report. . 2018. PMID 30544378 · DOI · PMC6310542
- Liu Y, Dai Y, Xiao F, Liu S, Wu Y, Ran E. Rare case of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to accessory spleen: A case report. . 2022. PMID 35945721 · DOI · PMC9351849
- Shi SS, Yang XZ, Zhang XY, Huang L, Guo HD, Li SF, et al.. Mallory-Weiss syndrome in four hemodialysis patients: a case study. . 2023. PMID 37365498 · DOI · PMC10294486
- Samuel R, Bilal M, Tayyem O, Guturu P. Evaluation and management of Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Dis Mon. 2018. PMID 29525375 · DOI
- Yamamoto N, Nakamura M, Tachibana S, Konno H, Nakamura S, Nishino N. Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis with Mallory-Weiss syndrome: report of a case. Surg Today. 2002. PMID 12107778 · DOI
- Lum DF, McQuaid K, Lee JG. Endoscopic hemostasis of nonvariceal, non-peptic ulcer hemorrhage. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am. 1997. PMID 9376956 · DOI
- Salvador-Ibarra IJ, Pizaña-Davila A. Boerhaave syndrome. Case report and literature review. Cir Cir. 2021. PMID 34932533 · DOI
- Lesur G. [Upper gastrointestinal bleeding from rare causes]. Gastroenterol Clin Biol. 2005. PMID 16142003 · DOI
- Pezzulo G, Kruger D. Assessing upper gastrointestinal bleeding in adults. JAAPA. 2014. PMID 25102077 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
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