Description

⚕️FREE MSRA PODCAST –Plummer-Vinson Syndrome

🎧 A rapid, high-yield revision covering the classical triad of Plummer-Vinson Syndrome (also known asPatterson-Kelly syndrome). Includes pathophysiology, presentation,investigations, and long-term cancer risk.

🧠Key Learning Points

📌Definition

• Plummer-VinsonSyndrome (PVS) is a rare conditiondefined by a classic triad:

• Iron-deficiency anaemia
• Oesophageal webs
• Glossitis
  • Also referred to as Patterson-Kelly Syndrome

📌Mnemonic

A-Web-G

• Anaemia

• Oesophageal Webs

• Glossitis

📌Causes

• The exact cause ismultifactorial

• Strongly linked tochronic iron deficiency

• Associatedconditions:

• Coeliac disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Pernicious anaemia
• Thyroid disorders
• Sjögren’s syndrome
• Rheumatoid arthritis

📌Risk Factors

• Chroniciron-deficiency

• Poor nutritionalintake

• Conditions causingmalabsorption

• More common in middle-aged women, though becoming rarer in the UK

📌Pathophysiology

• Chronic irondeficiency leads to mucosal changes inthe oesophagus

• Results information of thin membranes (webs) thatcause dysphagia

• The cellularmechanism is not fully understood

📌DifferentialDiagnosis

• Simpleiron-deficiency anaemia without webs

• Other causes of dysphagia: strictures, malignancy

• Other causes of glossitis: vitamin B12 deficiency, candidiasis

📌Epidemiology

• Rare in the UK,incidence is declining

• More frequentlyseen in the Indian subcontinent

• Previously morecommon in middle-aged women, but now alsoseen in men in some populations

📌Clinical Features

• Symptoms:

• Fatigue, pallor, weakness (anaemia-related)
• Dysphagia (initially to solids)
• Weight loss
• Globus sensation

• Signs:

• Pallor
• Koilonychia (spoon-shaped nails)
• Glossitis (smooth tongue)
• Angular cheilitis
• Tachycardia

📌Diagnosis

• Blood tests:

• FBC: microcytic, hypochromic anaemia
• Ferritin: low
  • Imaging:
• Barium swallow: shows oesophageal webs
• OGD (endoscopy): confirms webs, allows for biopsy
  • Consider videofluoroscopy if dysphagia unclear

📌Management

• Iron supplementation:

• Oral iron (e.g., ferrous sulfate)
• May require long-term treatment
  • Endoscopic surveillance (OGD):
• Regular monitoring due to malignancy risk
  • Interventions for persistent dysphagia:
• Endoscopic dilation
• Argon plasma coagulation for web destruction

📌Complications

• Increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus

• Persistentdysphagia if untreated

• Nutritionaldeficiencies

📎More MSRA Resourcesfor Plummer-Vinson Syndrome

📝 Revision Notes:

https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/plummer-vinson-syndrome-revision-notes/

🧠 Flashcards:

https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/plummer-vinson-syndrome-flashcards/

💬 Accordion Q&A Notes:

https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/plummer-vinson-syndrome-accordion-qa-notes/

🚀 Rapid Quiz:

https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/plummer-vinson-syndrome-rapid-quiz/

🎓 Full Course:

https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/gastroenterology-for-the-msra/

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