Excessive bleeding from genital ulcers of Behçet's disease

• Published in: Cutis (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 60; no. 3; p. 159
• Main Authors: Bostankolu, A, Aksungur, V L, Aksungur, E H, Ozpoyraz, M, Yücel, A, Memisoglu, H R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-09-1997
• Subjects: Adult; Behcet Syndrome - complications; Behcet Syndrome - diagnosis; Disease Progression; Genitalia, Male; Hemorrhage - etiology; Hemorrhage - physiopathology; Humans; Male; Skin Ulcer - etiology; Skin Ulcer - physiopathology
• ISSN: 0011-4162

Although genital ulcers are a common manifestation of Behçet's disease, bleeding from these lesions is unusual. In this report, a patient with excessive bleeding from genital ulcers is presented. A 22-year-old man with recurrent oral and genital ulcers, erythema nodosum, folliculitis, positive pathergic reaction, uveitis, superior vena cava syndrome, and generalized lymphadenopathy fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of Behçet's disease. Three years after presenting he was admitted to our clinic with excessive bleeding from large ulcers on the scrotum and upper thighs and with a leg ulcer. Bleeding was controlled with compresses. Examination of a biopsy specimen obtained from the leg ulcer showed findings consistent with Kaposi-like acroangiodermatitis. Results of various radiologic investigations showed thrombosis of the inferior vena cava, peritesticular varicosities, and venous insufficiency of the lower extremities. We suggest that the bleeding was secondary to the extension of genital ulcers to the varicose veins.