Oesophageal pemphigus vulgaris.

Symptomatic involvement of the oesophageal mucosa by pemphigus vulgaris is rare. We describe 1 patient who was treated with oral steroids during a blistering phase, when epigastric pain developed. Endoscopy revealed multiple ulcerations all over the oesophagus, but gastroduodenal mucosa was normal. The symptoms disappeared following cimetidine for gastro-oesophageal reflux and increase of steroid dosage. When painful symptoms appear from the upper digestive tract during corticosteroid treatment of pemphigus, the possibility of acantholytic involvement of oesophageal mucosa must be kept in mind. Its implication for the dosage of steroids is opposite that in steroid-induced peptic ulcers. Carefully performed upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy is helpful in these patients.