title: Plummer-Vinson syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Plummer - Vinson syndrome is one of the names given to the constellation of dysphagia, iron- deficiency anemia, and esophageal webbing. It is a rare affection which affects mainly white women.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to precise epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic features of the affection.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a retrospective study enrolled over 6 years (2002 - 2008). Were studied the age, the sex, the main symptoms and the biological parameters (full blood cell, albumin, hepatic, renal and lipidic balance sheet). Patients were explored by an upper endoscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten patients with the diagnosis of Plummer-Vinson syndrome were collected. There were 9 women, the average age was 57 years old. Dysphagia was the main symptom, observed in 100% of the cases. Fifty per cent of our patients had iron-deficiency anemia. Iron supplementation was indicated each time there is an iron- deficiency anemia. All the patients were treated with endoscopic dilatation and three of them needed multiple session of endoscopic dilatation. Eighty per cent had a favorable evolution. The malignancy was observed in 2 cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dysphagia is the main symptom of the Plummer-Vinson syndrome, which must indicate an upper endoscopy. This syndrome is known to be associated with an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the upper airway tract, so the patients should be followed closely. Endoscopic dilatation is the procedure of choice in the treatment of cervical web of the esophagus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Habib Thameur Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Rania
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hefaiedh
authors.forename: Yosra
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Boutreaa
authors.forename: Asma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ouakaa-Kchaou
authors.forename: Dalila
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gargouri
authors.forename: Héla
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Elloumi
authors.forename: Asma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kochlef
authors.forename: Malika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romani
authors.forename: Afef
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kilani
authors.forename: Jamel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kharrat
authors.forename: Abdeljabbar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghorbel
mesh_terms: D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011004:Plummer-Vinson Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies