A Case of Esophageal Involvement in Pemphigus Vulgaris.
- Author:
Young Chul KIM
1
;
Woo Chul CHUNG
;
Seok Jin KANG
;
Chang Kyun HONG
;
Kang Moon LEE
;
Jin Mo YANG
;
Jae Kwang KIM
;
Sok Won HAN
;
Kyu Yong CHOI
;
In Sik CHUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. jwchulkr@yahoo.co.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Pemphigus vulgaris;
Esophagus;
Hemorrhagic bullae
- MeSH:
Acantholysis;
Adrenal Cortex Hormones;
Aged, 80 and over;
Autoantibodies;
Azathioprine;
Blister;
Chest Pain;
Cyclophosphamide;
Deglutition Disorders;
Epithelium;
Esophagus;
Humans;
Mouth;
Mucous Membrane;
Oral Ulcer;
Pemphigus*;
Skin;
Ulcer
- From:Korean Journal of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
2007;35(3):159-164
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Pemphigus vulgaris is a rare chronic disorder that is characterized by the development of bullae on the skin and mucous membrane due to an acantholysis mediated by circulating autoantibodies. It begins as painful, non- healing ulcerations in the mouth. After a period of weeks to months, the condition progresses to the skin. Occasionally, skin lesions may develop as the initial manifestation of this disease. However, esophageal involvement of pemphigus vulgaris is rare. An 84-year-old man was referred due to chest pain, dysphagia, oral ulcerations and facial bullae. The histopathological findings showed a suprabasal blister and acantholysis in the epithelium of the facial skin. An endoscopic examination revealed exfoliated erosions, ulcerations and hemorrhagic bullae on the oral and esophageal mucosa. The patient was started on high dose of corticosteroids and azathioprine, but there was no clinical improvement. The use of cyclophosphamide led to the remission of the lesions.
