Neurological Manifestation of Behcet’s Disease: A Case Report

Abstract

Behcet's disease causes inflammation of blood vessels but it is of unknown aetiology. When it involves the nervous system, it may present with benign headaches, aseptic meningitis, meningoencephalitis, cranial nerve palsies, seizures, personality changes, and cerebral venous thrombosis. We present the case of A.G is a 26-year old male, was a student in a Nigerian tertiary institution and resided in Lagos and Ibadan. He presented with a 2-year history of progressive and recurrent headaches, genital and mouth ulcers and weakness of the left limbs. Physical examination revealed a right handed, conscious, but apathetic and abulic young adult. All meningeal signs were positive. He had bilateral 6th nerve palsies, upper motor neuron (UMN) left 7th nerve palsy and a left partial ptosis. He had a bulbar speech with a cerebellar dysarthric twist and a grade 3 spastic left hemiparesis. However, his sensory system was intact and his presenting vital signs were within normal range. His brain computed tomogram confirmed areas of multiple infarcts, and a number of negative tests ruled out other possible differential diagnosis. He was treated for Behcet’s disease and had a dramatic positive response to antiplatelets and steroids. He was adequately stabilized on an out-patient basis, when under aunt’s care in Lagos. He, however, died following his relocation to Ibadan. An autopsy could not be done. Key Words : Behcet’s Disease, Neurological manifestations