Plummer Vinson syndrome (PVS) or Kelly Patterson’s syndrome was firstly described by Kelly and Patterson in 1919 and then 3 years later by Plummer and Vinson. It is a rare disease characterized by high dysphagia associated with iron deficiency anemia and oesophageal ring formation [1].

Most of the patients are Caucasian women between 40 and 80 years old.

The global prevalence is poorly evaluated, but this syndrome is more and more described in Sub-Saharan Africa [2] [3] [4] [5].

We report a case of PVS diagnosed in the department of gastroenterology and internal medicine of the Hospital and University Center of Brazzaville.

Mrs. N., born in 1945, consulted on January 4, 2019, for high progressive dysphagia for about 5 months. Dysphagia was associated with hypersialorrhea et progressive weight loss.

She had no chest pain, regurgitation, hiccups or hematemesis. She has a history of hypertension for 5 years, treated by Amlodipine 10 mg daily, and followed for an undetermined inflammatory polyarthritis with digital deformity since 1989, treated by Prednisolone 40 mg daily. No history of smoking or alcohol drinking.

On clinical examination in Table 1, the hemodynamic parameters were stable, with blood pressure at 130/80 mmHg. His general condition was altered with conjunctival pallor, weight loss (current weight, 50 kg, for a height of 1.62 m) and WHO performance status at 3. Physical examination revealed a tumefaction at both elbows and wrists, with inflammatory characteristics. There was not palpable abdominal mass and cardiorespiratory examination was normal.

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a whitish circular ring 20 cm from the dental arches, broken after the passage of the endoscope, giving way to irregular and confluent ulcerations of the upper third of the esophagus. The endoscopic images were not made because the reprographer is down. Oesophageal baryta transit was normal as well as colonoscopy. The association of high dysphagia, iron deficiency anemia and an oesophageal ring evoked Plummer Vinson syndrome (PVS).

Iron supplementation has been introduced with ferrous sulfate at a dose of 200 mg for 3 months. The ring was broken during endoscopy. The evolution was characterized by the resumption of the food from the 3rd day, a progressive recovery of the weight and a cicatrisation of the oesophageal ulcerations at the endoscopic control to one month. On a biological level, the control hemogram showed a hemoglobin count of 10.9 g/l. Ferritin increased from 13 μg to 86 μg.

Precise data on the prevalence of Plummer Vinson syndrome are not well known. It seemed common in the first half of the 20th century in the North, but today it has become extremely rare [1].

This condition was rarely reported in African black literature until recently [2] [3] [4] [5]. This is paradoxical in view of the high frequency of iron deficiency and malnutrition in Africa. The PVS most often affects young, middle-aged women [3]. This is the case of our patient. However, this syndrome can occur in children or adolescents [6].

Dysphagia is the main symptom. It is usually painless and intermittent, limited to solids. In our patient, the dysphagia was permanent and global, probably related to the severity of the oesophageal ring. This dysphagia had a high cervical seat.

In the PVS, the mechanism of dysphagia and the formation of the membrane are still unclear. Although iron deficiency is not necessary for the formation of the ring, it would always precede dysphagia [7]. However, the membrane would not be pathognomonic of the PVS. It is not essential for the emergence of swallowing disorders but rather acts as a factor of mechanical aggravation [8].

The association between SPV and Goujerot-Sogrën syndrome has been described, suggesting a possible autoimmune origin of SPV [9]. This is the case of our patient who has an inflammatory polyarthritis.

Biologically, iron deficiency anemia is very common in patients, up to 80% of cases [8]. Hyposideremia without anemia can be found in some patients. Some authors associate SPV with sideropenia more than with anemia [7].

Endoscopy visualizes the ring as a thin, gray membrane, with or without a centered lumen. The radiological abnormalities are constant at the pharyngo-oesophageal baryta transit [8]. In the early stage, the membrane appears as an indentation detaching from the anterior surface of the esophagus. At a later stage, it appears as an annular narrowing revealing the existence of a diaphragm [9] [10]. In our case, it was high oesophageal ulcerations, caused by the break-in of the ring during endoscopy.

In most cases, iron supplementation leads to a regression of dysphagia prior to the biological normalization of anemia, despite the persistence of the oesophageal ring [10].

The short-term evolution is favorable under specific treatment. Recurrence is possible in case of new iron deficiency [5]. An obstructive ring is often the cause of treatment resistance requiring endoscopic rupture or dilation sessions for regressing dysphagia. The evolution was favorable in our case, after iron supplementation, with clinical improvement. Long-term evolution is characterized by an increased risk of post-cricoid cancer, highlighting the precancerous nature of the SPV. It is therefore recommended to monitor patients with SPV [11].

Plummer Vinson syndrome is still rarely described in Africa. The current practice of digestive endoscopy tends to increase its prevalence. The short-term evolution is generally favorable after iron supplementation, but in the long term, it is marked by the fear of a post-cancerous cancer.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Marlyse, N.-M., Akoa, I.N.N., Clausina, A.A., Arnaud, M.-O., Florient, M.M.J., Ngami, R.S., Gassaye, D., Irénée, A.I.B. and Jean-Rosaire, I. (2019) Plummer-Vinson Syndrome: A Rare Entity in Sub-Saharan Africa. Open Journal of Gastroenterology, 9, 109-112. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojgas.2019.96013