Subtotal colectomy for intestinal Behcet's disease: a histopathological surprise

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Internal Medicine
• Pathology

Background:

• Ileocecal tuberculosis is a common mimic of other intestinal pathologies.
• Behcet's disease is a rare systemic vasculitis that can affect the gastrointestinal tract.
• Accurate diagnosis of intestinal diseases is crucial for effective treatment and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of intestinal Behcet's disease.
• To highlight the diagnostic challenges in differentiating intestinal Behcet's disease from tuberculosis.
• To emphasize the surgical management of complicated intestinal Behcet's disease.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 40-year-old male patient.
• Review of clinical presentation, colonoscopy, CT abdomen, and histopathology.
• Surgical intervention involving exploratory laparotomy and subtotal colectomy.

Main Results:

• Initial diagnosis of ileocecal tuberculosis was made.
• Patient experienced recurrent abdominal pain and subacute intestinal obstruction despite antitubercular treatment.
• Postoperative histopathology confirmed intestinal Behcet's disease, necessitating subtotal colectomy.

Conclusions:

• Intestinal Behcet's disease can present with symptoms mimicking ileocecal tuberculosis.
• Accurate histopathological examination is essential for definitive diagnosis.
• Subtotal colectomy may be required for managing severe intestinal complications of Behcet's disease.