False aneurysm of the abdominal aorta in Behçet's disease

Surgical Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Due to Vasculo-Behqet's Disease

A thirty-two-year-old woman was operated on for abdominal aortic aneurysm due to vasculo-Behqet's disease. Her aortography showed an aneurysm of curious eggplant-like configuration. At operation, the aneurysm was found to be adhered to the surrounding organ with the severely thickened wall. The diseased aorta was replaced with Y-shaped Dacron graft. Three anastomosis sites were apart from the inflammation and were rolled up with the Teflon felt for reinforcement. Pathology of the diseased wall showed an infiltration of the inflammatory cells with the small-vessel vasculitis due to Behqet's disease. She has had an uneventful postoperative course with a tapering corticosteroid therapy.

Surgical aspects of Behçet's disease

Behçet's disease is an uncommon condition that is managed primarily by medical therapy. Nevertheless, the widespread manifestations of the disease mean that surgeons from many different subspecialties may be involved in the care of patients. This is especially so for the treatment of life-threatening complications. For this reason the surgeon needs to consider Behçet's disease in the differential diagnosis of many conditions and to be aware of the general principles underlying the surgical care of affected patients.