Pulmonary involvement in Behcet's disease

ABSTRACT

Among 51 patients with Behcet's disease diagnosed at our centers between 1979 and May 1989, nine had major pulmonary involvement [18%]. All were males with a mean age of 30 years. Four presented with hemoptysis, three with chest pain, and two with both; all had orogenital ulcers but only one patient had uveitis. Three patients were found to have pleural effusion, four had pulmonary artery aneurysm with vasculitis, one had thoracic aortic aneurysm, and one had widespread pulmonary thrombonembolism. Good clinical and radiological responses were seen after treatment with either steroids alone or in combination with immunosuppressive agents