Can bullous pemphigoid involve the esophagus? A case report and literature review

Abstract

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an acquired autoimmune blistering disorder that affects mainly the skin. Although the esophageal mucous membrane is sometimes involved in mucous mem brane pemphigoid (MMP), it is rarely involved in bullous pemphigoid. An 82-year-old Japanese man with BP developed blood-filled blisters and circumferential ulcers in the upper esophagus. Ulcer formation correlated with the titer of anti-BP180 antibody, suggesting that the esophageal lesions were due to BP itself. Only a few Japanese cases of BP have been reported in the esophagus involving anti-BP180 antibody. It might be necessary to examine esophageal lesions even when patients complain of mild symptoms such as dysphagia or are merely vomiting.