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[Acute myelitis and Behcet's disease: three case reports]
H Harmouche1, O Mouti, M el-Alaoui Faris
1Service de neurologie, hôpital des Spécialités, Rabat-Instituts, BP 6220, Rabat, Maroc.
Introduction:
Neurological manifestations in Behçet's disease usually consist of meningoencephalitis and cerebral thrombophlebitis. Myelitis is rare, especially when it is the only neurological manifestation.
Exegesis:
The authors report three cases of acute myelitis complicating Behçet's disease demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging. In two cases, Behçet's disease was revealed by myelitis. The three cases were transverse myelitis, two of which were juvenile Behçet's disease and two were meningomyelitis.
Conclusion:
Magnetic resonance imaging can help guide diagnosis of myelitis in Behçet's disease. It can also be useful to assess the results of the treatment. Clinical symptoms of Behçet's disease must be searched for in the case of myelitis, especially for patients from Mediterranean countries.
Insights
Behçet's disease can present as acute myelitis, a rare neurological manifestation. Magnetic resonance imaging aids in diagnosing and assessing treatment for myelitis in Behçet's disease patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Radiology
Background:
- Behçet's disease commonly causes meningoencephalitis and cerebral thrombophlebitis.
- Neurological involvement in Behçet's disease, particularly myelitis, is infrequent, especially as an isolated symptom.
Observation:
- Three cases of acute myelitis complicating Behçet's disease were identified.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to demonstrate myelitis in all cases.
- Myelitis was the initial presenting symptom of Behçet's disease in two patients.
Findings:
- The cases involved transverse myelitis, with two instances of juvenile Behçet's disease and two of meningomyelitis.
- MRI proved instrumental in visualizing the extent and nature of the myelitis.
Implications:
- MRI is a valuable tool for diagnosing myelitis in Behçet's disease and monitoring treatment efficacy.
- Clinicians should consider Behçet's disease in patients presenting with myelitis, particularly those from Mediterranean regions.