Intestinal Behcet's Disease: Report of a Case

Abstract

Behcet's disease is a multisystemic disorder characterized by recurrent genital and oral ulcerations, ocular inflammation, and skin lesions. Although gastrointestinal symptoms are noted in half of the patients, Behcet's disease with gastrointestinal ulcers, the so called intestinal Behcet's disease, accounts for only one percent of the cases. Operative treatment is regarded as the first choice in terms of the high rate of ulcerative perforation. We experienced a rare case of intestinal Behcet's disease. A 17-year-old male student presented with oral and genital ulcers, erythema nodosum-like skin lesions, abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. The diagnosis was based on the criteria suggested by an international study group for Behcet's disease. Abdominal ultrasonography showed wall thickening of the terminal ileum. Colonoscopic examination revealed a deep ulcer over the terminal ileum. Clinically, he met the criteria of Behcet's disease. The deep ulcer in the terminal ileum further suggested the diagnosis of intestinal Behcet's disease. The case had excellent clinical response to chlorambucil and prednisolone without surgery. In combination with colonoscopic and x-ray examination, sonographic study may be considered a supplementary tool for evaluating the disease process of the intestine.