PLUMMER VINSON SYNDROME--is it common in males?

Exploring the Impact of Blood Disorders on Dental Caries

Blood comprises various cellular elements and serves as our immune system's second line of defense. Deviations from its normal composition can have adverse effects on health. At the same time, the oral mucosa in the oral cavity functions as the body's first line of defense, and any anomalies or diseases within it can give rise to both systemic and oral complications. If left untreated, caries can lead to severe tooth damage or extraction, potentially affecting an individual's nutrition and overall health. This review article focuses on the importance of understanding the intricate relationship between blood disorders and oral health. It underscores the profound impact of oral manifestations of blood disorders such as β-thalassemia, sickle cell disease, iron deficiency anemia, leukemia, hemophilia, Plummer-Vinson syndrome, erythroblastosis fetalis, Fanconi anemia, cyclic neutropenia, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia on the overall well-being of an individual.

Could Plummer-Vinson Syndrome Be Associated with Celiac Disease?

A 16-year-old female presented to our hospital clinic with a main complaint of difficulty swallowing. She reported mild dizziness and frequent fatigue and denied weight loss, fever, joint pain, or a history of diarrhea. Lab and physical results showed low weight; low hemoglobin, ferritin, and vitamin D levels; and a low red blood cell count. Swallowing assessment showed esophageal webs and swallowing difficulty, especially in the pharyngeal stage, and aspiration. It was initially suspected that clinical manifestations, including esophageal webs, iron deficiency anemia (IDA), and swallowing difficulty, were related to Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS). However, further investigations and pathological findings revealed several gastrointestinal manifestations consistent with celiac disease (CD). Based on this finding, the patient began a gluten-free diet for the management of CD. Afterward, she began to gain weight, followed by a resolution of swallowing difficulty. Therefore, clinicians should be familiar with the symptoms of CD when conducting a thorough clinical examination and maintain a high level of suspicion to rule out other causes and reach an accurate diagnosis. It is also recommended to screen all patients presenting with IDA, esophageal web, and dysphagia for CD even in the absence of diarrhea.

The Missing Link: A Case of Plummer-Vinson Syndrome in a Young Pacific-Islander Woman With Helicobacter Pylori

Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS), the triad of dysphagia, iron-deficiency anemia (IDA), and esophageal webs, is a relatively rare disease entity that is mostly observed in the Caucasian populations of Scandinavia and North America. As these regions have become more developed with improved nutrition, PVS is now more commonly seen in the developing regions of the world.

We present the case of a 29-year-old Pacific-islander woman who presented with progressive dysphagia and IDA and was found to have an esophageal web and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) gastritis on upper endoscopy. She improved with dilation of the web in the esophagus and treatment of H. pylori. Identifying the possibility of this syndrome in clinical practice and the association between H. pylori and PVS, especially given recent changes in its epidemiology, is important given the patient population in Hawaii and the Pacific.

Plummer Vinson Syndrome: A Rare Syndrome in Male with Review of the Literature

Introduction

Plummer Vinson syndrome also known as Paterson Brown-Kelly syndrome is a syndrome associated with the triad of symptoms comprising microcytic hypochromic anemia, oesophageal strictures, and dysphagia. PVS is commonly found in women of middle age especially in the fourth and fifth decade of life and is rarely reported in males.

Case Report

The authors report a case of 43-year-old male patient who presented with the classic symptoms of Plummer Vinson syndrome.

Conclusion

Dentists have to be familiar with symptoms of PVS and a thorough clinical examination of the patient is necessary for early diagnosis and treatment. As PVS is a precancerous condition with high malignant potential, early diagnosis is of utmost importance for better prognosis.

Clinical Significance

Mutual interaction of systemic and oral health has largely been underestimated by many patients in the developing countries and hence this report includes a note on importance of adequate medical history taking and its relevance to the dental health and treatment.