Single-center prospective study of Plummer-Vinson syndrome.

Post-cricoid web is an uncommon cause for dysphagia and is most frequently reported in middle-aged women. Triad of web, iron deficiency anemia (IDA), and dysphagia is known as Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS). Literature on PVS is very limited. Here we report the first prospective study of PVS with predefined diagnostic criteria and management plan. Adults with dysphagia or those incidentally found to have esophageal web were prospectively enrolled between July 2011 and June 2013. Participants were evaluated with hemogram, barium swallow, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy. PVS was diagnosed if a person had IDA and a post-cricoid web in barium swallow and/or endoscopy. Patients were managed with dilation using through-the-scope controlled radial expansion balloon followed by oral iron and folic acid supplementation. Thirty-seven patients (age, median [range] 40 [19-65] years; 32 [86%] women) were enrolled. Thirty-one symptomatic patients had dysphagia grade 1 (n = 12, 39%), 2 (n = 13, 42%), and 3 (n = 6, 19%) for a median (range) duration of 24 (4-324) months. Barium swallow, done in 29, showed web in 25 which were either circumferential or anterior in position. Twenty-nine (29/31, 94%) patients had complete and two had partial response after the first session of endoscopic dilatation without any complication. Dysphagia recurred in three (10%) of the 30 patients who were followed for a median (range) of 10 (1-24) months. Esophageal-web related dysphagia in patients with PVS responds favorably after single session of endoscopic dilation.

Gastric cancer occurring in a patient with Plummer-Vinson syndrome: a case report.

Plummer-Vinson syndrome (sideropenic dysphagia) is characterized by dysphagia due to an upper esophageal or hypopharyngeal web in patients with chronic iron deficiency anemia. The main cause of dysphagia is the presence of the web in the cervical esophagus, and abnormal motility of the pharynx or esophagus is also found to play a significant role in this condition. This syndrome is thought to be precancerous because squamous cell carcinoma of hypopharynx, oral cavity or esophagus takes place in 10% of those patients suffering from this malady, but it is even more unusual that Plummer-Vinson syndrome should be accompanied by gastric cancer. We have reported here a case of a 43-year-old woman with Plummer-Vinson syndrome who developed stomach cancer and recovered after a radical total gastrectomy with D2 nodal dissection.

[Sinus arrest during laryngoscopy for induction of general anesthesia with intravenous fentanyl and propofol].

A 43-year-old woman with Plummer's disease underwent left thyroid lobectomy without premedication using ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring under general anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced with an intravenous bolus of fentanyl 100 microg, lidocaine 40 mg, propofol 80 mg and vecuronium 7 mg. As she moved 5 min after induction of anesthesia, fentanyl 100 microg and propofol 30 mg were administered additionally. After positive pressure ventilation by mask for 8 min, heart rate decreased from 71 beats x min(-1) to 48 beats x min(-1), and laryngoscopy was performed. When the tip of the laryngoscope was pressed on the base of the tongue and on lifting the epiglottis, the electrocardiogram showed RR interval prolongation and gradually going to sinus arrest. The laryngoscope was removed immediately and mask ventilation was performed. The heart beat resumed at 5.5 sec after sinus arrest. Atropine 0.5 mg was given intravenously and heart rate increased to 50 beats x min(-1). Additionally atropine 0.25 mg increased heart rate to 70 beats x min(-1). The second laryngoscopy was performed uneventfully. We consider this phenomenon as a result of vagovagal reflex. Fentanyl and propofol, by reducing sympathetic tone to a greater extent than parasympathetic tone, decrease blood pressure and heart rate, and predispose to a parasympathetic response for noxious stimulation. This case indicates that intravenous injection of atropine must be immediately used for bradycardia during laryngoscopy for induction of general anesthesia with fentanyl and propofol.

[Severe dysphagia secondary to Plummer-Vinson Syndrome. Report of a case and review of the literature]. / Disfagia severa secundaria a síndrome de Plummer-Vinson. A propósito de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

The Plummer-Vinson Syndrome is characterized by the presence of dysphagia, iron deficiency anemia and esophageal webs. We report the clinical case of a 67 year-female who was admitted with aphagia, glositis and important sialorrea. After performing a digestive endoscopy we found a double membrane located on Killiam region (upper esophageal tract) and proceeded, under general anestesia, to neumatic dilatation. The patient followed periodic controls yearly by Digestive Department and Internal Medicine with a significant clinical improvement.