Lassaad Chtourou
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Sfax 3089, Tunisia; Sfax Medical School, University of Sfax, Sfax 3029, Tunisia
Manel Moalla
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Sfax 3089, Tunisia; Sfax Medical School, University of Sfax, Sfax 3029, Tunisia
Hela Gdoura
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Sfax 3089, Tunisia; Sfax Medical School, University of Sfax, Sfax 3029, Tunisia
Hend Smaoui
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Sfax 3089, Tunisia; Sfax Medical School, University of Sfax, Sfax 3029, Tunisia
Ons Khrouf
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Sfax 3089, Tunisia; Sfax Medical School, University of Sfax, Sfax 3029, Tunisia
Roua Kallel
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Sfax 3089, Tunisia; Sfax Medical School, University of Sfax, Sfax 3029, Tunisia
Leila Mnif
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Sfax 3089, Tunisia; Sfax Medical School, University of Sfax, Sfax 3029, Tunisia
Ali Amouri
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Sfax 3089, Tunisia; Sfax Medical School, University of Sfax, Sfax 3029, Tunisia
Mona Boudabbous
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Sfax 3089, Tunisia; Sfax Medical School, University of Sfax, Sfax 3029, Tunisia
Nabil Tahri
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Sfax 3089, Tunisia; Sfax Medical School, University of Sfax, Sfax 3029, Tunisia
Abstract
Plummer Vinson syndrome (PVS) is a rare entity and most publications are case or series of cases. Thus, we report a series from southern Tunisia. Our aim was to analyse the epidemiological and clinical characteristics, the therapeutic modalities as well as the evolution of this pathology. Thus we carried out a retrospective study from 2009 until 2019. For each patient with PVS, we collected the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical data and therapeutic modalities. A total of 23 patients were enrolled with a median age of 49.52 years [18-82 years] and a clear female predominance (M/F=2/21). The median duration of dysphagia was 42 months [4-92 months]. Moderate microcytic hypochromic anemia was noted in 16 patients. The anemia was without obvious cause in 60.8% (n=14) of cases. The main endoscopic finding was a diaphragm in the cervical area. Treatment was based on iron supplementation followed by endoscopic dilatation with Savary dilators in 90.9% (n=20) and balloons for 9.1% of patients (n=2). Dysphagia recurred in 5 patients after a median of 26.6 months [2-60 months]. Three cases of PVS were complicated by esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. In conclusion, our series confirms that PVS affects mostly women. Anemia is frequently noted in these patients. Treatment is based on endoscopic dilatation which is often an easy and risk-free procedure and iron supplementation.