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Neurologic involvement in Behçet disease: imaging findings in 16 patients
1Department of Radiology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Behçet disease, a rare vasculitis, frequently affects the central nervous system (CNS). MR imaging reveals characteristic brain lesions in Behçet disease patients, aiding diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Radiology
Background:
- Behçet disease is a rare, multisystem immune-related vasculitis.
- It is prevalent in specific geographic regions including Japan, the Middle East, and Mediterranean countries.
- Central Nervous System (CNS) involvement is a significant complication of Behçet disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and imaging characteristics of CNS involvement in Behçet disease.
- To evaluate the utility of different neuroimaging modalities in diagnosing CNS manifestations of Behçet disease.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 36 patients diagnosed with Behçet disease.
- Review of CT and MR imaging findings in patients with suspected or confirmed CNS involvement.
- Detailed analysis of lesion location and appearance on T2-weighted MR images.
Main Results:
- CNS involvement was observed in 16 out of 36 patients (44%).
- CT scans were largely noncontributory, with one case of dural sinus thrombosis noted.
- MR imaging in nine patients identified T2 hyperintense lesions in the brainstem, basal ganglia, and cerebral hemispheres, with decreasing frequency.
Conclusions:
- Central Nervous System involvement is common in Behçet disease.
- MR imaging is a valuable tool for detecting CNS lesions in Behçet disease, showing characteristic patterns distinct from multiple sclerosis.
- The findings highlight the importance of neuroimaging in the comprehensive assessment of Behçet disease patients.
Abstract:
Behçet disease is a rare multisystem immune-related vasculitis that is prevalent in Japan, the Middle East, and many Mediterranean countries. In our study population of 36 patients with Behçet disease, 16 (44%) had CNS involvement. CT was noncontributory, except in a single patient with dural sinus thrombosis. MR imaging in nine patients showed foci of high signal intensity on T2-weighted images within the brainstem, the basal ganglia, and the cerebral hemispheres in that order of frequency. Unlike the plaques associated with multiple sclerosis, Behçet lesions show no predilection for the periventricular regions.