Behçet’s Disease: A Radiological Review of Vascular and Parenchymal Pulmonary Involvement

Abstract

Behcet’s disease (BD) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disorder characterized by underlying chronic vasculitis of both large- and small-caliber vessels. Thoracic involvement in BD can occur with various types of manifestations, which can be detected with contrast-enhanced MSCT scanning. In addition, MR can be useful in diagnosis. Characteristic features are aneurysms of the pulmonary arteries that can cause severe hemoptysis and SVC thrombosis that manifests as SVC syndrome. Other manifestations are aortic and bronchial artery aneurysms, alveolar hemorrhage, pulmonary infarction, and rarely pleural effusion. Achieving the right diagnosis of these manifestations is important for setting the correct therapy and improving the patient’s outcome.

Behçet’s Disease: Pulmonary Aneurysms Resolution with Immunosuppressive Therapy

“…It should be noted that Behçet disease is the most frequent cause of PAA [4]. They predominantly affect the right lower lobar artery, followed by the right and left main pulmonary arteries [5]. Clinically, the most frequent symptom is recurrent haemoptysis of low abundance due to erosion into a bronchus, as in our patient's case, with a risk of massive haemoptysis caused by aneurysm rupture.…”

A case of Behçet's disease with unusual cardiovascular complications

“…10 It can manifest as pericarditis, myocarditis, endocarditis, intracardiac thrombosis, myocardial fibrosis, myocardial infarction, and DCM. 6 In our case, the left ventricular systolic dysfunction could be explained by coronary arteritis or DCM. The evaluation of the coronary arteries was insufficient.…”

Frail Silk: Is the Hughes-Stovin Syndrome a Behçet Syndrome Subtype with Aneurysm-Involved Gene Variants?

“…In patients with BS, a hemorrhage should inspire a suspicion of HSS [ 129 ]. Improvement of diagnostic techniques may aid in reaching a rapid diagnosis which may be life-saving in this setting [ 135 , 136 ]. Noteworthy, the PA wall thickness is increased in BS with major organ involvement, which could be important also for diagnosis in cases with incomplete presentation [ 137 ].…”