Abstract
Although pemphigus vulgaris is a well-known bullous disorder of the skin and oral mucosa, its esophageal involvement has been rarely documented. Recently we experienced two cases of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) in which esophageal ulcers were endoscopically demonstrated and their association with PV was confirmed. The first case is a 54-year-old male with repeated stomatitis. PV was diagnosed by the histological findings of the tongue. Endoscopic examination showed severe esophageal ulcers and erosions, which responded favorably to the steroid therapy. The second case is a 53 Iranian male with necrotizing stomatitis. Histological examination of the skin showed characteristic features of PV. Endoscopic examination of the esophagus revealed irregular ulcers, which improved by the steroid therapy. Direct immunofluorescent study of the esophagus was positive in this case. Only 19 cases of PV with esophageal involvement have been reported inclusive of ours in the world literature. Deposition of IgG was demonstrated in the esophagus in 6 cases. Whereas PV is usually handled by dermatologists and otolaryngologists, gastroenter-ologists should be alerted to this disorder in case of intractable ulcers and erosions of the esophagus.
