A Case Report on Plummer-Vinson Syndrome

Abstract

PVS is a condition that can occur in people with long term exposure to iron deficiency anaemia. The exact cause of PVS is obscure.PVS classically presents as a triad of symptoms like –Iron deficiency anaemia/microcytic hypochromic anaemia, (post cricoids dysphagia, upper oesophageal webs. It generally occurs in premenopausal women. Even though the syndrome is very rare, now-a-days it’s recognition is very important because it identifies a group of patients at increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma of pharynx and oesophagus.The significance of Plummer Vinson syndrome is its association with cancers of head and neck[6] .We report a case of 65 years old male patient who has classical presentations of PVS. A male patient of age 65 years old was reported to general medicine department with complaints of- difficulty in swallowing sine 20 days; dysphagia to solids, not for liquids. Patient gave history of constipation on & off since 20 days associated with blood, scanty; history of passage of black coloured stools since 20 days; decreased appetite. Early diagnosing of PVS is important to prevent it’s complications. Treatment is primarily aimed at correcting the iron deficiency anaemia and oesophageal dilatation is done to provide symptomatic relief.