Plummer-Vinson; Patterson-Kelly syndrome; sideropenic dysphagia

Epidemiology

90% of cases occur in women

Pathology

• a cervical esophageal web
• mucosal lesions of the mouth & pharynx
• iron-deficiency anemia
• association (15%) with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx & upper esophagus

Clinical manifestations

• intermittent dysphagia*
• sore tongue
• dry mouth
• cheilitis
• erythematous buccal mucosa & tongue
• spoon-shaped nails
• splenomegaly

* dysphagia (often with aspiration of food) is the most common clinical manifestation

Laboratory

• complete blood count -> anemia, microcytosis
• serum iron, TIBC, serum ferritin
• labs consistent with iron-deficiency anemia

Radiology

• anterior displacement of barium by web-like stricture in upper esophagus

Management

• dysphagia apparently resolves with correction of the anemia

More general terms

• anemia
• esophageal disease
• syndrome