Skip to main content
Log in

Esophageal hematoma

Four new cases, a review, and proposed etiology

  • Original Articles
  • Published:
Digestive Diseases and Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We report four cases of esophageal hematoma and emphasize that endoscopically and radiographically it may simulate a neoplasm. After a review of 26 cases, we found that patients with normal hemostasis often had esophageal hematoma occur distally after vomiting. Most of these hematomas probably originated from a Mallory-Weiss laceration. In contrast, patients with impaired hemostasis had esophageal hematoma occur proximally or at multiple sites. Many of these hematomas occurred spontaneously, without a history of vomiting, and probably resulted from impaired coagulation. Regardless of etiology most esophageal hematomas were associated with a benign course.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Smith G, Gillanders LA, Brunnen PL, Teo HS: Oesophageal apoplexy. Lancet 1:390–392, 1974

    Google Scholar 

  2. Marks IN, Keet AD: Intramural rupture of the oesophagus. Br Med J 3:536–537, 1968

    Google Scholar 

  3. Kelley DL, Neugebauer MK, Fosburg RG: Spontaneous intramural esophageal perforation. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 63:504–506, 1972

    Google Scholar 

  4. Lien JWK, Dufresne LR, Daly DS: Intramural esophageal bleeding in a hemodialysis patient, Can Med Assoc J 111:1230–1231, 1974

    Google Scholar 

  5. Joffe N, Millan VG: Postemetic dissecting intramural hematoma of the esophagus. Radiology 95:379–380, 1970

    Google Scholar 

  6. Borrie J, Sheat J: Spontaneous intramural oesophageal perforation. Thorax 25:294–300, 1970

    Google Scholar 

  7. Thompson NW, Ernst CB, Fry WJ: The spectrum of emetogenic injury to the esophagus and stomach. Am J Surg 113:13–24, 1967

    Google Scholar 

  8. Atefi D, Horney JT, Eaton SB, Shulman M, Whaley W, Galambos JT: Spontaneous intramural hematoma of esophagus. Gastrointest Endosc 24:172–174, 1978

    Google Scholar 

  9. Snyder III N, Patterson M, Hughes WS: Esophageal hematoma. South Med J 66:1070–1080, 1973

    Google Scholar 

  10. Oldenburger D, Gundlach WJ: Intramural esophageal hematoma in a hemophiliac. J Am Med Assoc 237:800–801, 1977

    Google Scholar 

  11. Benjamin B, Hanks TJ: Submucosal dissection of the oesophagus due to haemorrhage, a new radiographic finding. J Laryngol Otol 79:1032–1037, 1965

    Google Scholar 

  12. Andress M: Submucosal haematoma of the oesophagus due to anticoagulant therapy. Acta Radiol Diagn 11:216–219, 1971

    Google Scholar 

  13. Hampers CL: Long Term Hemodialysis. New York, Grune & Stratton, 1973

    Google Scholar 

  14. Al-Rashid R, Harned RK: Dysphagia due to leukemic involvement of the esophagus. Am J Dis Child 121:75–76, 1971

    Google Scholar 

  15. Ashman F, Hill MC, Saba GP, Diaconis JN: Esophageal hematoma associated with thrombocytopenia. Gastrointest Radiol 3:115–118, 1978

    Google Scholar 

  16. Schmidt CF: The reflex regulation of respiration.In Macleod's Physiology in Modern Medicine, P. Bard (ed). St. Louis, C.V. Mosby, 1941, p 599

    Google Scholar 

  17. Knauer CM: Mallory-Weiss syndrome. Gastroenterology 71:5–8, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  18. Watts HD: Postemetic hematomas: A variant of the Mallory-Weiss syndrome. Am J Surg 132:320–321, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  19. Birns MT, Katon RM, Keller F: Intramural hematoma of the small intestine presenting with major upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Gastroenterology 77:1094–1101, 1979

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Department of the Army of Department of Defense.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Shay, S.S., Berendson, R.A. & Johnson, L.F. Esophageal hematoma. Digest Dis Sci 26, 1019–1024 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01314765

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01314765

Keywords

Navigation