Transcatheter embolization for treatment of Mallory-Weiss tears of the esophagogastric junction.

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 five required no further therapy. In one 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.