Mallory-Weiss syndrome manifesting as upper GI bleed in patients undergoing Hemodialysis: A case report

Shuai-Shuai Shi et al from the Department of Nephrology, Heji Hospital of Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, China reported Mallory-Weiss syndrome in four patients undergoing Hemodialysis. The case study was published in the journal BMC Nephrology.

Mallory-Weiss syndrome (MWS) is a benign, self-limiting condition that causes gastrointestinal bleeding in hemodialysis patients. It is caused due to the non-transmural lacerations of the esophagogastric junction caused by severe vomiting and other inducements. It is often induced by severe vomiting and manifests as upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Despite the condition having a good prognosis, the early symptoms of hematemesis are often missed, leading to a delay in the diagnosis and complicating the situation.

Researchers from the Department of Nephrology, Heji Hospital of Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, China reported four patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis 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 whereas the other three reported a history of mild vomiting. Three patients received the conservative hemostasis treatment, and the gastrointestinal bleeding stopped. One patient underwent gastroscopic and interventional hemostasis treatments. The conditions of three of the patients improved. Unfortunately, one of the patients died due to cardiac insufficiency.