Case report on Plummer Vinson syndrome

Chanukya Vanam, Durga Prasad Thammisetty


Plummer Vinson syndrome or Paterson-Brown-Kelly syndrome is a rare disorder is characterized by a triad of iron deficiency anemia, post-cricoid dysphagia and upper oesophageal web. This is a condition that is hypothesized to occur in people with long-term iron-deficiency anemia. It is more prevalent in females than in male patients. This disorder is characterized by iron deficiency anemia, post-cricoid dysphagia and oesophageal webs, symptoms typically progress over a period of six months and often include other systemic effects such as angular cheilitis, glossitis, and spooning of the fingernails. Here we report a case of 38 years female admitted in general medicine female with complaints of breathlessness and tightness of chest relieving after vomiting and had history of anemia, dysphagia insidious in onset and dysphagia associated with solid food over a year on examination patient was found to be gross pallor, angular cheilitis, spoon-shaped nails of fingers and toes. The lab findings were hemoglobin of 7.8 g/dl, serum ferritin levels 7.23 ng/ml, vitamin B12 175.2 pg/ml and upper oesophageal endoscopy revealed oesophageal web in the post-cricoid region. Treatment of Plummer Vinson syndrome includes iron supplementation followed by endotracheal dilation if necessary.


Plummer Vinson syndrome, Iron deficiency anemia, Dysphagia, Oesophageal webs

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