Transcatheter Embolization for Treatment of Mallory-Weiss Tears of the Esophagogastric Junction

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Abstract
Five patients with Mallory-Weiss tears of the esophagus and massive uncontrolled upper gastrointestinal bleeding were treated by Gelfoam embolization of the left gastric artery. Four of the 5 required no further therapy. In 1 case, permanent hemostasis was not achieved due to extension of the tear to branches of the inferior phrenic artery. Since Mallory-Weiss tears are usually self-healing, embolization is potentially the primary treatment modality. Surgery can be reserved for treatment of transmural perforation or recurrent bleeding.