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| CASE REPORT |
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| Year : 2018 | Volume
: 21
| Issue : 9 | Page : 1238-1241 |
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Pemphigus vegetans presenting as serpiginous oral, esophageal and genital mucosal ulcers undiagnosed for 3 years
E Hadlaq, H Al Bagieh, A Qannam, IO Bello
Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, King Saud University College of Dentistry, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| Date of Acceptance | 30-Apr-2018 |
| Date of Web Publication | 29-Aug-2018 |
Correspondence Address:
Dr. E Hadlaq
Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, P. O. Box 60169, Riyadh 11545
Saudi Arabia
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/njcp.njcp_87_18
 Abstract | | |
Pemphigus vegetans (PVeg) is a relatively milder and chronic variant of pemphigus vulgaris. It is very rare, constituting only about 3% of all cases of pemphigus. It is characterized by initial bullae or pustules which may then progress to papillomatous vegetations or plaques. Usually, oral mucosal and cutaneous lesions are seen in the same patient. Very rarely, only mucosal presentation may be seen. In this report, we present a case of a 30-year-old woman with previously undiagnosed multiple, painful, chronic vegetative ulcers with “snail-track”-like appearance present for 3 years. Extensive clinical and laboratory investigations revealed the lesions to be due to PVeg. The patient responded to prednisolone and cyclophosphamide therapy with complete remission after 2 months.
Keywords: Mucosa, pemphigus vegetans, serpiginous, ulcers, vegetations
How to cite this article:
Hadlaq E, Al Bagieh H, Qannam A, Bello I O. Pemphigus vegetans presenting as serpiginous oral, esophageal and genital mucosal ulcers undiagnosed for 3 years. Niger J Clin Pract 2018;21:1238-41 |
How to cite this URL:
Hadlaq E, Al Bagieh H, Qannam A, Bello I O. Pemphigus vegetans presenting as serpiginous oral, esophageal and genital mucosal ulcers undiagnosed for 3 years. Niger J Clin Pract [serial online] 2018 [cited 2022 Aug 8];21:1238-41. Available from: https://www.njcponline.com/text.asp?2018/21/9/1238/240072 |
| Introduction | |  |
Persistent mucosal ulcers may be a burden to the patient. To the clinician, the differential diagnosis may range from innocuous or nonspecific ulcers to debilitating conditions like pemphigus. Exhaustive investigations are often required. We present in this report, a case of persistent mucosal ulcers that were undiagnosed for 3 years and required extensive investigations and consultations before being definitively diagnosed as pemphigus vegetans (PVeg).
| Case Report | | |
A 30-year-old Saudi woman resented at the Oral Diagnosis Clinic, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a 3-year history of oral soreness and multiple chronic oral ulcers. She reported no initial precipitating event as the lesion started with a hemorrhagic bulla on the soft palate [Figure 1]a. Over time, the lesion slowly progressed to other parts of the oral mucosa as small ulcers with hyperkeratotic plaques [Figure 1]b. Previous use of low potency topical steroids, analgesics, topical anesthetics, mouthwashes, antifungal, antibiotics, and over-the-counter remedies was elicited, accompanied by momentary relief but no regression of lesions. A review of systems revealed dysphagia, abdominal pain and cramping, and presence of similar lesions in the genital area. Past medical and family histories were of noncontributory nature. Extraoral examination did not reveal any abnormality. Intraorally, multiple painful white-to-yellow pustules with erythematous oral mucosa that seemed to be coalescing in linear “snail-track” configuration were observed. These were covered by friable, vegetating hyperkeratotic plaques in many intraoral sites [Figure 2]a,[Figure 2]b,[Figure 2]c,[Figure 2]d,[Figure 2]e,[Figure 2]f. Nikolsky sign was negative. | Figure 1: Initial clinical presentation as hemorrhagic bullae in the soft palate (a) and ulcer with hyperkeratotic plaques in buccal vestibule (b) Photos provided courtesy of the patient
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 | Figure 2: (a) Erosions and coalescent ulcers as lace-like with a purulent surface and the surrounding mucosa is erythematous in the mandibular buccal gingiva and alveolar mucosa, (b and c) multiple coalescent ulcers with vegetations of hyperplastic granulation tissue in lateral surfaces of the tongue, (d and e) ulcers and erosions with friable hyperkeratotic plaques in buccal mucosa, and (f) erosions and ulcers with hyperkeratotic plaques in mandibular buccal vestibule
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A diagnostic workup involving mucosal biopsy for morphological assessment of the lesion and immunofluorescence studies, complete full blood count (FBC) and blood chemistry, and antibody (ELISA-based) tests for desmogleins (Dsg 1 and 3) was made. In addition, dermatology, internal medicine (gastroenterologist), and gynecology consultations were included. Histopathology of the oral mucosa revealed tissue fragments with the epithelium showing acantholytic areas with separation above the basal cells (intraepithelial or suprabasal clefting) with extensive eosinophilia of the adjacent connective tissue [Figure 3]a, [Figure 3]b. Focal intraepithelial neutrophilic and eosinophilic abscesses were also observed. An impression of pemphigus-related lesion was made which needed to be correlated with immunofluorescence studies. | Figure 3: (a and b) Photomicrographs showing intraepithelial clefting alongside extensive eosinophilia of adjacent connective tissue. (c). Direct immunofluorescence showing intercellular deposition of IgG within the epithelium
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Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) showed very strong intercellular deposition of IgG within the epithelium [Figure 3]c but negative for C3 and IgA. All parameters within the FBC were essentially normal except for a high absolute eosinophilic count of 1.58 × 109/L (normal 0.05–0.5 × 109/L). Comprehensive metabolic panel, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum folic acid, Vitamin B12, and total serum protein were within normal limits. Circulating antibodies to Dsg 3 but not Dsg 1 were detected using ELISA. Gastroenterologist consultation revealed multiple esophageal ulcers, hyperkeratotic plaques, and vegetations on endoscopy [Figure 4], but all other structures essentially normal. Dermatological consultation did not report any skin lesion. Gynecologic evaluation revealed multiple superficial vulvar and vaginal erosions. On the basis of all these findings, especially the DIF result, a final diagnosis of PVeg was made. | Figure 4: Endoscopic view of multiple discrete superficial ulcers and erosions with hyperkeratotic plaques in esophagus
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The patient was placed on daily prednisolone 60 mg and cyclophosphamide 100 mg, dexamethasone elixir 0.5 mg/ml, qds and clotrimazole 10 mg troches, tds and reviewed weekly. There was significant resolution of the ulcers after 1 month, although the lower labial vestibular lesions persisted [Figure 5]. Dexamethasone was replaced by topical 0.05% clobetasol propionate cream qds, to be applied to the persistent lesions. After 2 months, the lesions resolved completely without pigmentation or scarring. The systemic steroid was tapered down by 10 mg every 5 days, and the patient was placed on a maintenance therapy of 10 mg prednisolone and 50 mg cyclophosphamide and reviewed monthly for 5 months with no recurrence. | Figure 5: (a) The single ulcer shown here in the lower labial vestibule was the only persistent lesion after 4 weeks with immunosuppressive therapy. (b-d) Resolution of all lesions in the mucosa after 4 weeks with immunosuppressive therapy
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| Discussion | | |
PVeg is a chronic variant of pemphigus vulgaris characterized by the presence of flaccid blisters which then progresses to papillomatous vegetations. It is generally a rare form of pemphigus vulgaris with several reports confirming that it accounts for <3% of all cases.[1] The median age of onset is 40–50 years, but PVeg occurs at any age including children.[2] It has a predilection for flexural areas of the skin, the scalp, and the margins of the mouth. Most cases (>60%) show oral involvement preceding skin involvement, although this can occur in reverse.[3] The presence of cerebriform or “scrotal” tongue alongside the ulcers and plaques is very useful alongside other manifestations in the diagnosis of PVeg.[4] Nasal mucosa, larynx, and esophagus may also be involved.[5],[6]
Initially described in two forms: the more severe Neumann type which is basically conventional pemphigus vulgaris that later develop vegetations and the less severe Hallopeau type which begins as pustular eruptions that rapidly develop to verrucous vegetating plaques. The possibility of both variants existing or evolving in the same patient may render this classification to be of minimal clinical use.[5] This patient presented with mucosal lesions of the mouth and vagina in a serpiginous configuration. There was no cutaneous involvement and common hallmarks of PVeg such as obvious involvement of the vermillion border of lips as well as cerebriform (scrotal) appearance of the tongue were absent. The presence of dysphagia presumably due to lesions in the upper gastrointestinal tract and abdominal discomfort, therefore, needed further investigation. The cause of the abdominal discomfort is not clear as endoscopy revealed no lesions. The gastroenterologist review is warranted as PVeg has been associated with several internal neoplasms including gastric cancer[7] and colon cancer.[8] This review did not yield any significant finding.
Among the most common clinical differential diagnosis of PVeg is pyodermatitis-pyostomatitis vegetans (PD-PSV). It is almost impossible to rule out the latter clinically and histologically, although a history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is almost invariably associated.[9] PD-PSV has been suggested as a very good specific marker for IBD, particularly ulcerative colitis.[10] History and gastroenterologist consultation firmly ruled out the presence of IBD in this patient. Most of the clinical and histological features exhibited in this patient are consistent with PD-PSV. The diagnosis of PVeg was unequivocally supported by the very strong DIF positivity.
The precipitating factors for PVeg are poorly understood. Association with an underlying malignancy has been reported in some patients.[7],[8] PVeg has also been reportedly induced by the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors,[11] prolonged intranasal heroin abuse,[12] and human immunodeficiency virus infection.[13] In this patient, no underlying cause could be identified. This case is being presented to reinforce the view that PVeg can be limited to mucosal site with no skin involvement. The patient responded well to treatment within 4 weeks of establishing diagnosis despite the lesions being persistently present for 3 years previously.
Declaration of patient consent
The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
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[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4], [Figure 5]
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