Behçet's disease with severe destructive arthritis

A case with Behçet's disease involving erosive Metacarpophalangeal joint arthritis: the value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of an Erosion

Background

Behçet’s disease (BD) is a chronic multisystemic vasculitis that may emerge with musculoskeletal system involvements, oral-genital recurrent aphthae, mucocutaneous lesions, and ocular symptoms. Arthritis in BD is usually non-erosive and not related to crippling disease. Erosive arthropathy is a very rare manifestation of BD.

Case presentation

Herein, we present a 60-year-old male patient suffering from BD for 33 years with erosive arthritis in his second metacarpophalangeal joint. After we assessed his finger by X-ray, we diagnosed erosive arthropathy quickly by musculoskeletal ultrasonography. In addition, a systematic literature search was performed via the PubMed and Scopus databases using the keywords, ‘Behçet’s disease [AND] erosive/destructive arthritis’.

Conclusions

Erosive arthritis due to BD can be evaluated by ultrasonography in an easy, fast and cost-effective manner. The literature search between 1985 and December 2019 revealed a total of 19 patients with peripheral erosive arthropathy related to BD and the characteristics of the results are summarized in the paper.

A case of possible Behçet's disease, preceded by recurrent knee arthropathy for 5 years, effectively treated with oral colchicine

We report a case of possible Behçet's disease (BD) preceded by arthropathy for 5 years. A 29-year-old man experienced right knee swelling and pain since April 1999. Thorough examinations were performed, yet a diagnosis was not established. In December 2004 he experienced recurrent aphtha, following folliculitis-like skin lesions. A human leukocyte antigen examination revealed a positive B51 allele and his illness was diagnosed as possible Behçet disease. Colchicine was administered and his symptoms were ameliorated.