Korean J Gastrointest Endosc.  2007 Sep;35(3):159-164.

A Case of Esophageal Involvement in Pemphigus Vulgaris

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. jwchulkr@yahoo.co.kr
  • 2Department of Clinical Pathology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.

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.

Keyword

Pemphigus vulgaris; Esophagus; Hemorrhagic bullae

MeSH Terms

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
Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Autoantibodies
Azathioprine
Cyclophosphamide
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