Mucous membrane pemphigoid with oesophageal and cutaneous involvement – report of two cases

Introduction. Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is a rare autoimmune disease, characterized by subepithelial bullae healing with scar, usually occurring in elderly patients. The clinical picture may be variable and blisters or erosions may be present in the oral cavity, conjunctiva, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, the genitourinary tract and occasionally on the skin.

Objective. Presentation of two patients with MMP due to the rare involvement of mucous membranes of the oral cavity and oesophagus, and additionally the scalp.

Case reports. The first case is an 86-year old patient with long-term ocular MMP, in whom in spite of remission of ocular lesions, extensive ulceration in the fronto-parietal area of the scalp without a tendency to heal appeared after several years of MMP duration. The second case concerns a 75-year old patient treated for many years due to ocular cicatricial pemphigoid with good response. However, later in the disease course blisters occurred on the skin, mucous membranes of the oral cavity and oesophagus, resulting in swallowing difficulties.

Conclusions. These cases were presented due to the rare involvement of mucous membranes of the oral cavity and oesophagus, and additionally the scalp.