Pulmonary involvement in Behçet disease

• Published in: Current opinion in pulmonary medicine Vol. 5; no. 5; pp. 314 - 318
• Main Author: Erkan, Feyza
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc 01-09-1999
• Subjects: Aneurysm - etiology; Angiography, Digital Subtraction; Aortic Aneurysm - etiology; Behcet Syndrome - complications; Behcet Syndrome - drug therapy; Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia - etiology; Follow-Up Studies; Heart Diseases - etiology; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents - therapeutic use; Lung - blood supply; Lung Diseases - etiology; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Subclavian Artery - pathology; Thrombosis - etiology; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Wound Healing
• ISSN: 1070-5287; 1531-6971
• DOI: 10.1097/00063198-199909000-00009

Pulmonary artery aneurysms varying in size and number continue to be the principal feature of pulmonary involvement in Behçet disease (BD). Pulmonary aneurysms have been reported to be associated with cardiac thromboses, mainly in the right heart. Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia has also been seen in the setting of pulmonary artery aneurysms. Aneurysms of the aortic arch and subclavian artery are rarely recognized thoracic manifestations of BD.Noninvasive imaging techniques, such as helical computed tomography and magnetic resonance angiography, are the safer and preferred methods for identifying aneurysms and thrombi. Digital substraction angiography has been found to be inadequate in showing thrombosed vessels.Follow-up computed tomography was performed in the documentation of the aneurysmal healing process. In patients receiving immunosuppressive treatment, intramural thrombus formation occurred and was followed by aneurysmal regression and disappearance. General principles for the treatment of systemic vasculitis are used in the treatment of BD.