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Case Reports in Gastroenterology 2021Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS) presents with the classic triad of iron-deficiency anemia, dysphagia, and esophageal webs. The mainstay treatment of PVS is iron...
Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS) presents with the classic triad of iron-deficiency anemia, dysphagia, and esophageal webs. The mainstay treatment of PVS is iron supplementation and the dysphagia usually responds to iron supplementation before the hematologic abnormalities are corrected. This syndrome classically affects middle-aged Caucasian women and very few cases have been reported in African Americans. We present a rare case of PVS in an African-American woman. A 63-year-old woman presented with shortness of breath, dysphagia, and lightheadedness for several weeks. Chest X-ray was negative for any acute abnormalities. Initial hemoglobin was 7.0 g/dL, which improved to 7.5 g/dL after 1 unit of packed red blood cells. She had a mean corpuscular volume of 62 fL, a ferritin level of 6 ng/mL, and an iron level of 12 μg/dL. Fecal occult blood test was negative and barium swallow revealed a proximal esophageal web. Her dysphagia did not significantly improve despite intravenous iron supplementation and esophageal web dilation. Video-fluoroscopic swallow study revealed esophageal and pharyngeal phase dysphagia with food entrapment. She was discharged with plans to follow up with a primary care physician and repeat esophagogastroduodenoscopy in 1 year. This case report highlights a rare case of PVS in an African-American woman and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a comprehensive and broad differential diagnosis.
PubMed: 34616256
DOI: 10.1159/000516937 -
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare 2019Plummer-Vinson syndrome is a rare condition associated with dysphagia, iron deficiency, and esophageal webs. Data regarding this condition is limited to mostly case... (Review)
Review
Plummer-Vinson syndrome is a rare condition associated with dysphagia, iron deficiency, and esophageal webs. Data regarding this condition is limited to mostly case reports and a few small cohort studies. Although most cases have a benign and indolent course, the risk of malignancy warrants long-term surveillance. A multidisciplinary approach among healthcare providers is of the utmost importance in the management of this condition.
PubMed: 31417270
DOI: 10.2147/JMDH.S180410 -
The American Journal of Case Reports Apr 2021BACKGROUND Plummer-Vinson syndrome is a rare disease that presents with iron-deficiency anemia, dysphagia, and esophageal webs. It usually occurs in middle-aged White...
BACKGROUND Plummer-Vinson syndrome is a rare disease that presents with iron-deficiency anemia, dysphagia, and esophageal webs. It usually occurs in middle-aged White women, and it increases the risk for esophageal cancer. The prevalence of Plummer-Vinson syndrome has decreased due to early detection of iron deficiency and repletion of iron stores. Although Plummer-Vinson syndrome has also been commonly described in children and adolescents, it is seldom reported in the elderly population. CASE REPORT An 88-year-old women with a history of mild cognitive impairment, allergic rhinitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease presented with difficulty in swallowing solid foods. She had a decreased appetite, along with a 4.5-kg weight loss in the last 1 year. She was also found to have severe iron deficiency and mild anemia. Her dysphagia continued to progress even after starting iron supplementation for her iron deficiency. She eventually had a food bolus trapped in her cervical esophagus that required removal via esophagogastroduodenoscopy. A barium swallow revealed a narrowing in the upper esophagus. A repeat esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed an esophageal web that was dilated, resulting in relief of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Dysphagia is reported in up to 10% of the elderly population. It commonly causes malnutrition and is associated with increased mortality. The usual etiologies include cognitive dysfunction, neurological disorders, and/or esophageal dysmotility or narrowing. Although the incidence of Plummer-Vinson syndrome has decreased over time, the possibility of its presence should not be overlooked. To our knowledge, the current case is the third case of dysphagia related to Plummer-Vinson syndrome reported in an octogenarian in the literature so far. Iron replacement can help resolve dysphagia in Plummer-Vinson syndrome but dilation of esophageal webs may sometimes be required.
Topics: Adolescent; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Deglutition; Deglutition Disorders; Female; Humans; Iron; Middle Aged; Plummer-Vinson Syndrome
PubMed: 33895769
DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.929899 -
International Medical Case Reports... 2023A 16-year-old female presented to our hospital clinic with a main complaint of difficulty swallowing. She reported mild dizziness and frequent fatigue and denied weight...
A 16-year-old female presented to our hospital clinic with a main complaint of difficulty swallowing. She reported mild dizziness and frequent fatigue and denied weight loss, fever, joint pain, or a history of diarrhea. Lab and physical results showed low weight; low hemoglobin, ferritin, and vitamin D levels; and a low red blood cell count. Swallowing assessment showed esophageal webs and swallowing difficulty, especially in the pharyngeal stage, and aspiration. It was initially suspected that clinical manifestations, including esophageal webs, iron deficiency anemia (IDA), and swallowing difficulty, were related to Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS). However, further investigations and pathological findings revealed several gastrointestinal manifestations consistent with celiac disease (CD). Based on this finding, the patient began a gluten-free diet for the management of CD. Afterward, she began to gain weight, followed by a resolution of swallowing difficulty. Therefore, clinicians should be familiar with the symptoms of CD when conducting a thorough clinical examination and maintain a high level of suspicion to rule out other causes and reach an accurate diagnosis. It is also recommended to screen all patients presenting with IDA, esophageal web, and dysphagia for CD even in the absence of diarrhea.
PubMed: 37501941
DOI: 10.2147/IMCRJ.S415775 -
Cureus Jun 2023Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS) is the triad of iron-deficiency anemia, esophageal webs and dysphagia. This article discusses the first reported case of PVS from Oman. A...
Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS) is the triad of iron-deficiency anemia, esophageal webs and dysphagia. This article discusses the first reported case of PVS from Oman. A female patient in her 40s presented with a one-year history of dysphagia and odynophagia and a known background of untreated iron-deficiency anemia. After an elaborate workup, a diagnosis of PVS was made following visualization of the esophageal web with barium swallow study and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). A prompt and accurate diagnosis of PVS, although rare, is crucial, given that it is, at times, a precancerous condition. The treatment with iron therapy is the cornerstone of management, and it corrects the anemia as well as the dysphagia. If dysphagia persists, endoscopic dilation can be carried out.
PubMed: 37519547
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.41050 -
Journal of Postgraduate Medicine 2022This retrospective study analyzed the occurrence of esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) in a cohort of patients with Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS) and mucosal lichen...
This retrospective study analyzed the occurrence of esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) in a cohort of patients with Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS) and mucosal lichen planus (LP). ESCC occurred in 6.2% cases of PVS, more than half of whom had associated oral LP. Mucosal LP and PVS together may increase the predisposition to ESCC.
Topics: Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Epithelial Cells; Esophageal Neoplasms; Humans; Lichen Planus; Plummer-Vinson Syndrome; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 35417996
DOI: 10.4103/jpgm.jpgm_375_21 -
BMC Pediatrics Apr 2024Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS) is characterized by a triad of symptoms consisting of microcytic hypochromic anaemia, oesophageal webs, and dysphagia. PVS is commonly...
BACKGROUND
Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS) is characterized by a triad of symptoms consisting of microcytic hypochromic anaemia, oesophageal webs, and dysphagia. PVS is commonly found in women in the fourth and fifth decades of life and is rarely reported in the paediatric population.
CASE PRESENTATION
We report the case of a 1-year-old male South Asian child who presented with dysphagia and anaemia for 4 months and frequent episodes of vomiting after ingesting semisolid and solid food. A complete blood analysis revealed microcytic hypochromic anaemia. An oesophagogram revealed circumferential narrowing of the upper thoracic oesophagus. Based on these findings, our suspicion was that the patient had an oesophageal web and vascular ring. Oesophageal dilation was performed with a Savary-Gilliard dilator; initially, 5 mm and 7 mm probes were used, and final dilation with a 9 mm probe was performed.
CONCLUSION
Although rare in paediatric patients, a high suspicion of this syndrome is necessary in these patients to provide relief to the patient for better growth and development. Iron supplements increase the haemoglobin level but do not subside dysphagia, and oesophageal dilation is needed to open the blocked enteral pathway.
Topics: Humans; Plummer-Vinson Syndrome; Male; Infant; Deglutition Disorders; Dilatation
PubMed: 38678196
DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-04750-x -
Cureus Dec 2019Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS) is characterized by a triad of symptoms comprising microcytic hypochromic anemia, esophageal webs, and dysphagia. PVS is commonly found in...
Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS) is characterized by a triad of symptoms comprising microcytic hypochromic anemia, esophageal webs, and dysphagia. PVS is commonly found in women of middle age especially in the fourth and fifth decade of life and is rarely reported in males. We report a case of a 39-year-old female patient who had a classic presentation of PVS. PVS is precancerous with high malignant potential; early diagnosis is of utmost importance for better prognosis and surveillance endoscopy is recommended. Iron repletion oftentimes improves the dysphagia; seldom esophageal dilatation is used to provide symptomatic relief.
PubMed: 32025392
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.6463