Revisiting Plummer Vinson Syndrome : a report of three cases and review

Abstract

Plummer-Vinson or Paterson-Brown-Kelly syndrome (PVS) is characterised by a triad of cervical dysphagia, upper oesophageal web and iron deficiency anaemia. It is known to affect mostly white females, but cases have been reported from other ethnic groups in the literature. Exact data about epidemiology of the syndrome is not available, but the syndrome is extremely rare. It is considered as a premalignant condition associated with cancers of upper digestive tract. Herein we report three cases of Plummer Vinson syndrome in Indian women, who presented with significant and long standing dysphagia, sideropenia and post-cricoid webs. Their esophagograms revealed the presence of webs at pharyngoesophageal junction. All the three patients were treated with oesophageal dilation of webs along with iron supplementation. The patients were under regular follow-up for three years after treatment and found to be with normal blood counts with no signs of recurrence and malignancy.