Relapsed Esophageal Web in a Patient with Plummer-Vinson Syndrome

Plummer-Vinson syndrome is characterized by dysphagia, iron deficiency anemia, and upper esophageal web. The associated symptoms can be resolved by administering iron supplements as well as by endoscopic intervention. Relapse in patients with Plummer-Vinson syndrome is very rare. We describe a case of a 42-year-old woman with Plummer-Vinson syndrome whose symptoms were successfully treated with endoscopic dilatation and iron supplementation at first admission; however, 1 year later, she revisited our hospital because of dysphagia. On second admission, investigations revealed esophageal web relapse in Plummer-Vinson syndrome. She was again successfully treated with endoscopic dilatation and iron supplementation. After first admission, her anemia was not normalized due to poor compliance and loss of follow-up. We experienced a case of esophageal web relapse due to uncorrected iron deficiency anemia in a patient with Plummer-Vinson syndrome. This experience indicates that continuous iron supplementation and long-term follow-up is important in patients with Plummer-Vinson syndrome. (Korean J Helicobacter Up Gastrointest Res 2014;14:117-120)