Unmasking a Rare Triad of Iron Deficiency Anemia, Esophageal Web, and Dysphagia in Plummer-Vinson Syndrome: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Authors

Ramachandra Reddy, Karthik Rajaram Mohan, Saramma Mathew Fenn, Reethikarathan Rathanswamy Thiruneervannan, Kumar Appusamy

Published in

Cureus. Volume 18. Issue 9. Pages e116887. Epub Sep 25, 2026.

Abstract

Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS), also known as Paterson-Kelly syndrome or sideropenic dysphagia, is a rare disorder characterized by the triad of iron deficiency anemia, dysphagia, and esophageal webs. It predominantly affects middle-aged women and sometimes carries a risk of malignant transformation to esophageal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma, which makes early recognition clinically significant. This case report describes a 37-year-old woman who presented with a four-month history of a burning sensation and dysphagia to solid foods. Her physical examination revealed pale palpebral conjunctiva, and intraoral examination showed pale, pigmented buccal mucosa bilaterally, along with dental caries and multiple missing maxillary posterior teeth. Hematological investigations revealed severe microcytic hypochromic anemia with low serum ferritin, consistent with iron deficiency, and a barium swallow study demonstrated an esophageal stricture, confirming the diagnosis of PVS. The patient was advised to undergo prosthetic rehabilitation of her missing teeth to support adequate mastication and nutrient absorption, and was referred to a gastroenterologist for further management of the esophageal stricture and to a general physician for correction of iron deficiency anemia. This report highlights the clinical presentation, oral and hematological findings, diagnostic workup, and multidisciplinary management of PVS, and underscores the value of prompt barium swallow evaluation and gastroenterology referral in patients with iron deficiency anemia and dysphagia, given the syndrome's potential for malignant transformation.

PMID:
42928953
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 26 Oct 2026.

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