Asymptomatic Free Air Caused by Mallory-Weiss Tears during Endoscopy

Abstract

An 80-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer which extended from the antrum to the bulbus of the duodenum. Although the patient did not struggle or retch during endoscopy, multiple mucosal lacerations were observed in the proximal stomach by Mallory-Weiss tears. No evidence of perforation was identified at the sites. The day after endoscopy, computed tomography revealed free air close to the gastric cardia, but the patient did not complain of any symptoms; she was able to consume a normal diet and did not require any treatment.