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Behçet's Syndrome and Thrombosis
Emire Seyahi1, Sebahattin Yurdakul
1Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, University of Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey.
Insights
Behçet syndrome (BS) is a rare vasculitis affecting multiple systems, often presenting with skin lesions and eye inflammation. Vascular complications, particularly venous thrombosis, are common and a major cause of mortality in BS.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Behçet syndrome (BS) is a multisystem vasculitis of unknown etiology.
- It typically manifests in the third decade with recurrent mucocutaneous lesions and panuveitis.
- Males experience more severe disease than females.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the key features of Behçet syndrome, focusing on its vascular manifestations.
- To highlight the diagnostic hallmarks and common complications of BS.
- To underscore the importance of immunosuppressive treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on Behçet syndrome.
- Analysis of clinical presentation, disease course, and pathological findings.
- Emphasis on vascular involvement patterns and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Vascular involvement occurs in up to 40% of BS cases, affecting all vessel types but favoring veins.
- Common vascular manifestations include lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, vena cava thrombosis, and aneurysms.
- Neutrophilic vasculitis around vaso vasorum is characteristic; thromboembolism is rare despite high venous disease frequency.
Conclusions:
- Behçet syndrome is characterized by significant vascular involvement, a primary driver of mortality.
- Immunosuppressive therapy is crucial for managing BS activity and preventing attacks.
- Further research into BS etiology and pathogenesis is warranted.
Abstract:
Behçet syndrome (BS) is a multisystem vasculitis with unknown etiology and a unique geographic distribution. The disease course is characterized by exacerbations and remissions while abating as the years pass. The usual onset is in the third decade. Recurrent skin mucosa lesions and sight threatening panuveitis are the hallmark of the disease. Males are more severely affected than females. Vascular involvement can occur in up to 40% of cases. BS is unique among the vasculitides in that it may involve all sizes and types of vessels. It affects the veins more than the arteries. Lower extremity vein thrombosis is the most frequent manifestation of vascular involvement, followed by vena cava thrombosis, pulmonary artery aneurysms, Budd-Chiari syndrome, peripheral artery aneurysms, dural sinus thrombosis and abdominal aorta aneurysms. Vascular involvement is frequently associated with constitut onal symptoms and increased acute phase response and is the major cause of increased mortality. A predominantly neutrophilic vasculitis around the vaso vasorum is typical of BS. The thrombus is tightly adherent to the vessel wall which probably explains why thromboembolism is so rare despite the high frequency of venous disease. Thrombophilic factors do not seem to explain thrombotic tendency in BS. Immunosuppressive treatment is essential in suppression and preventing the attacks.
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