A Case Report: Life Saving Mallory-Weiss Syndrome

Abstract

Mallory-Weiss syndrome is characterized by a mucosa rupture on the gastroesophageal junction and usually associated with intenseretching, cough, straining, or vomiting. Methanol intoxication is a cause for severe mortality and morbidity. We aimed to emphasize thelifesaving importance of history taking, rapid diagnosis, and treatment for Mallory-Weiss syndrome secondary to methanol intoxication inthe present case. A 54-year old male patient admitted to the emergency service by ambulance with the complaint of bloody vomiting. Thepatient’s overall condition was moderate, and he was confused. He was taken into the resuscitation room. The patient was admitted tourgent endoscopy because of active bleeding. It was detected that he had drunk the alcohol that he made at home and presented bloodyvomiting when he woke up in the morning. The patient was diagnosed with methanol intoxication and upper gastrointestinal system (GIS)bleeding. After intravenous infusion of 10 mL/kg loading dose of 10% ethanol, infusion continued by 1.5 mL/kg/hour. Urgent hemodialysiswas implemented after infusion of 1 mEq/kg NaHCO3 into the patient presenting severe acidosis. The patient was admitted for further testsand treatment after hemodialysis; he was discharged by cure after nine days. Mallory-Weiss syndrome may develop in GIS bleeding casestriggered by vomiting and have mortal causes. The complaints that start with severe vomiting may be caused by fatal conditions such asmethanol intoxication like in the present case. Therefore, a detailed patient history, as well as rapid diagnosis and treatment by emergencyclinicians, have vital importance.