ORAL PEMPHIGUS - CLINICAL-SIGNIFICANCE OF ESOPHAGEAL INVOLVEMENT - REPORT OF 8 CASES

The extension of the blisters of pemphigus to the esophagus is relativ ely uncommon, especially in patients treated with corticosteroids who appear to be in clinical remission. The aim of this study was to evalu ate the esophagus in eight patients affected by oral pemphigus in vari ous stages oi the disease. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed e sophageal involvement in five patients (two men and three women); thre e had blisters or erosions in the upper esophagus, whereas Mo showed r ed longitudinal lines along the entire organ. Direct immunofluorescenc e was positive in all eight patients. It is suggested that endoscopic examination of esophageal mucosa is an objective criterion by which to judge the success oi therapy of pemphigus vulgaris.