Superior Mesenteric Artery Vasculitis in Behçet's Disease: A Case Report and Literature Review

Intern Med. 2019 Jan 1;58(1):127-133. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.1290-18. Epub 2018 Aug 24.

Abstract

A 55-year-old male presented with abdominal pain that had begun about 5 days ago. Physical examination revealed oral aphtha, genital aphthosis, and pseudofolliculitis, and the patient was diagnosed with incomplete Behçet's disease (BD). Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) showed dilation of the superior mesenteric artery and mesenteric infiltration of inflammation, indicating vasculo-BD. The symptoms were improved by 3-day of intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy followed by oral prednisolone. A literature review suggested that vasculo-BD should be included as a differential diagnosis in cases with unexplained abdominal pain, arterial dilation, and mesenteric invasion, and CECT examination and steroid therapy should be considered.

Keywords: Behçet's disease; superior mesenteric artery; vascular involvement; vasculo-Behçet's disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / diagnosis
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Behcet Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mesenteric Artery, Superior / pathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vasculitis / diagnosis*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Prednisolone