Plummer-Vinson syndrome/esophageal web

Alternative names:

Paterson-Kelly syndrome; sideropenic dysphagia

Definition:

A disorder linked to severe, long-term iron deficiency anemia; resulting in swallowing difficulty caused by "webs" of tissue that grow in the esophagus. The tissue webs are easily broken and can cause bleeding. When the lack of iron is corrected, the tissue webs go away.