Research Day
A RARE CASE OF PLUMMER-VINSON SYNDROME IN AN AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN
Document Type
Abstract
Date
2021
Abstract
Introduction: Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS) is a rare condition that presents with the classic triad of iron-deficiency anemia, dysphagia, and esophageal webs. (1) This syndrome classically affects Caucasian women between the age of 40 and 70 and very few cases have been reported in African Americans. (2,3) In this case study, we present a rare case of Plummer-Vinson Syndrome in an African American woman.
Case: A 63-year-old patient with a past medical history of coronary artery disease, stroke, and untreated Hepatitis C presented with worsening shortness of breath, cough, and dysphagia for several weeks. The dysphagia was primarily to solids and was accompanied by sharp left-sided chest pain. Chest x-ray was negative, and the patient was found to have a hemoglobin of 7.0 g/dL with a mean corpuscular volume of 62 fL and a ferritin level of 6 ng/mL. Fecal occult blood test was negative. Barium-swallow revealed a proximal esophageal web. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed and the esophageal web was dilated.
Conclusion: We highlight a rare case of Plummer-Vinson Syndrome in an African American woman. (3) Plummer-Vinson Syndrome is pre-cancerous and therefore early recognition is crucial. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a comprehensive differential diagnosis that includes rare diseases. Dysphagia in PVS usually responds to iron supplementation. Her dysphagia did not immediately improve significantly despite IV iron supplementation and esophageal web dilation.