Oral pemphigus: clinical significance of esophageal involvement: report of eight cases.
The extension of the blisters of pemphigus to the esophagus is relatively uncommon, especially in patients treated with corticosteroids who appear to be in clinical remission. The aim of this study was to evaluate the esophagus in eight patients affected by oral pemphigus in various stages of the disease. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed esophageal involvement in five patients (two men and three women); three had blisters or erosions in the upper esophagus, whereas two showed red longitudinal lines along the entire organ. Direct immunofluorescence was positive in all eight patients. It is suggested that endoscopic examination of esophageal mucosa is an objective criterion by which to judge the success of therapy of pemphigus vulgaris.
Mignogna
M D
MD
Department of Oral Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, School of Dentistry, Italy. mdmig@mbox.vol.it
Lo Muzio
L
L
Galloro
G
G
Satriano
R A
RA
Ruocco
V
V
Bucci
E
E
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D013256:Steroids
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D013256:Steroids