Pemphigus vulgaris presenting with epigastric pain

Abstract

Key Clinical Message Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune mucocutaneous disease with an involvement in gastrointestinal tract especially in oral cavity and esophagus. Ulcers can be the initial presentation even before visible mucosal or cutaneous lesions. The presenting symptoms will be in accordance with the affected organ such as throat pain, hoarseness, dysphagia, odynophagia, or even bleeding. Here, we report a case of undiagnosed pemphigus vulgaris presenting with epigastric pain whose endoscopy showed oropharyngeal involvement and isolate esophageal ulcer, which failed proton pump inhibitor treatment.

Delayed diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris in rural Nepal due to healthcare inaccessibility and harmful traditional practices: A case report

“…There are reports where PV is triggered by pregnancy 6 . There are also instances where maternal antibodies permeate the placental barrier resulting in neonatal pemphigus 7 . PV has infrequent presentations such as epigastric pain radiating to the neck caused by bleeding esophageal ulcer in the absence of a typical oral lesion 8 .…”

“…6 There are also instances where maternal antibodies permeate the placental barrier resulting in neonatal pemphigus. 7 PV has infrequent presentations such as epigastric pain radiating to the neck caused by bleeding esophageal ulcer in the absence of a typical oral lesion. 8 In one rare case, a female patient presented with ulcerated plaques on her foot that did not seem to heal.…”