Mallory-Weiss tear with intestinal obstruction: case report and literature review.

Mallory-Weiss tear (MWT) is a mucosal laceration at the esophagogastric junction. This case report aims to present a rare case of MWT associated with small bowel obstruction (SBO). A 74-year-old female presented with hematemesis and abdominal pain. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) showed blood in the esophagus and stomach with a tear in the cardia. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen demonstrated multiple dilated small bowel loops with a distal ileal transition point in the pelvis. The patient underwent a midline laparotomy. Seven cases of MWT and SBO were identified. The most common presentation was hematemesis, seen in six patients (85.71%). Abdominal pain was reported in one case (14.28%). Two patients were treated with medication (28.57%), and five underwent surgery (71.42%). This study highlights the importance of recognizing MWT not merely as an isolated cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, but potentially as a secondary manifestation of increased intra-abdominal pressure.