Recanalization and stenting of a post-thrombotic iliac vein in a patient with Behçet's disease.

Abstract

Vascular lesions are frequent in Behçet's disease, and among them, deep venous thrombosis may occur in up to one-third of patients. Treatment is based on immunosuppressive drugs in addition to anticoagulants. We report the case of a young woman who presented with an acute iliofemoral venous thrombosis. Acute treatment with endovascular thrombectomy and catheter-directed fibrinolysis failed, probably because of the inflammatory status of the vessel wall. Recanalization with stenting of the obstructed common femoral and iliac veins 1year later was successful under immunosuppressive therapy. This case suggests that endovascular treatment of venous thrombosis in Behçet's disease may be conducted successfully innonactive venous lesions under immunosuppressive therapy.