Plummer-Vinson syndrome is a condition that can occur in people with
long-term (chronic) iron deficiency anemia
. People with this condition have problems swallowing due to small, thin growths of tissue that partially block the upper food pipe (esophagus).
Which indicate risks of Plummer-Vinson syndrome?
Plummer-Vinson syndrome is defined by the classic triad of dysphagia, iron-deficiency anemia and esophageal webs. Even though the syndrome is very rare nowadays, its recognition is important because it identifies a group of patients at
increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the pharynx and the esophagus
.
Is Plummer-Vinson syndrome premalignant?
Plummer Vinson syndrome, (also known as Patterson Kelly brown syndrome, sideropenic dysphagia, hysterical dysphagia) is
a premalignant condition
, in which the patient has iron deficiency anemia, dysphagia and possibly a post-cricoid web that can predispose to malignant change.
What causes an esophageal web?
Common causes
Some esophageal webs are
inherited
, or passed down genetically from parents to children. Others are thought to be associated with iron deficiencies, developmental abnormalities, inflammation, or autoimmune disorders. Medical conditions commonly associated with esophageal webs are described below.
How is Plummer-Vinson syndrome diagnosed?
In patients with suspected Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS),
obtain complete blood cell (CBC) counts, peripheral blood smears, and iron studies (eg, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity [TIBC], ferritin, saturation percentage)
to confirm iron deficiency, with or without hypochromic microcytic anemia.
What is Peterson Syndrome?
Listen to pronunciation. (PA-ter-sun-KEH-lee SIN-drome)
A disorder marked by anemia caused by iron deficiency
, and a web-like growth of membranes in the throat that makes swallowing difficult. Having Paterson-Kelly syndrome may increase the risk of developing esophageal cancer.
Can anemia affect your throat?
Difficulty in swallowing or
dysphagia
is a common symptom. Esophageal webs are an infrequent cause of dysphagia. These have been found to occur in association with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and dysphagia.
Why does iron deficiency cause Koilonychia?
Koilonychia occurs in 5.4% of the patients with iron deficiency. It is thought to occur due to
the upward deformation of lateral and distal portions of pliable iron deficient nail plates under mechanical pressure
. Nail matrix changes due to blood flow abnormalities was also proposed as a pathomechanism.
What is painful swallowing called?
“Odynophagia”
is the medical term for painful swallowing. Pain can be felt in your mouth, throat, or esophagus. You may experience painful swallowing when drinking or eating food. Sometimes swallowing difficulties, known as dysphagia, can accompany the pain, but odynophagia is often a condition of its own.
What is high dysphagia?
High dysphagia is
swallowing difficulties caused by problems with the mouth or throat
. It can be difficult to treat if it's caused by a condition that affects the nervous system. This is because these problems can't usually be corrected using medication or surgery.
What is the difference between esophageal web and ring?
Rings are
bands of normal esophageal tissue that form constrictions around the inside of the esophagus
. They occur in the lower esophagus. Webs, which arise in the upper esophagus, are thin layers of cells that grow across the inside of the esophagus. Either condition may make it difficult to swallow solid food.
What does esophageal stricture feel like?
What are the symptoms of an esophageal stricture? The main symptom of an esophageal stricture is dysphagia,
meaning difficulty in swallowing
. This may manifest as a sensation of food sticking or feeling of delay in food passage in the throat, chest or upper abdomen.
Can a narrowed esophagus heal itself?
Acid reflux, hiatal hernias, vomiting, complications from radiation therapy, and certain oral medications are among the reasons the esophagus can develop inflamed tissue.
Esophagitis can usually heal without intervention
, but to aid in the recovery, eaters can adopt what's known as an esophageal, or soft food, diet.
Why does anemia cause dysphagia?
Although the pathogenesis of PVS remains largely unknown, the most probable mechanism of PVS is iron deficiency [3], leading
to rapid loss of iron-dependent enzymes due to its high cell turnover
. Loss of these enzymes causes mucosal degenerations, atrophic changes and web formation, which are associated with dysphagia.
What is Tylosis Palmaris?
Abstract. Tylosis (hyperkeratosis palmaris et plantaris) is characterised
by focal thickening of the skin of the hands and feet
and is associated with a very high lifetime risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus.
What is Post Cricoid Web?
Introduction. Post cricoid web is rare in males when compared to females. Females present with oesophageal web as part of Plummer Vinson syndrome. The web
causes dysphagia
, initially intermittent, but later constant with no other symptoms.
