Plummer-Vinson syndrome [report of two cases]

ABSTRACT

Plummer-Vinson syndrome is rare. It associates upper dysphagia, cervical oesophageal webs and iron deficiency. We report two cases of this syndrome collected at our department. The first case is a woman, 43 years old, and the second a man of 81 years old, both admitted for upper dysphagia. Biological investigation found iron deficiency anemia. Oesophageal transit disclosed annular stenosis of the cervical segment. Oesogastroduodenal endoscopy performed in the second patient showed regular stenosis. Our two patients beniffited from a pneumatic dilatation under radiological control in one session, iron supplementation was associated. The evolution was common after 2 years. Plummer-Vinson syndrome is rare and affected mainly young women. Its pathophysiology is still unclear. Its diagnosis is based on oesophagel transit and endoscopy. The treatment consist on iron supplementation during 3 months associated to iterative endoscopic dilatations. Pneumatic dilatation under radiological control seem to have good results. The risk of malignant transformation is estimated 10% after 30 to 40 years of evolution, requires rigourous surveillance