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Thoracic involvement in Behçet's disease: pathologic, clinical, and imaging features
A Tunaci1, Y M Berkmen, E Gökmen
1Department of Radiology, University of Istanbul, Istanbul School of Medicine, Turkey.
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Behçet's disease, a rare vasculitis, can affect the chest in various ways, including blood clots and aneurysms. Chest X-rays are key for diagnosis, while CT and MR angiography are preferred for vascular assessment.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Rheumatology
- Radiology
Background:
- Behçet's disease is a rare systemic vasculitis with unknown causes.
- It can affect any blood vessel, leading to unpredictable organ involvement.
- Thoracic manifestations are diverse, including thromboembolism, aneurysms, and parenchymal changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the intrathoracic manifestations of Behçet's disease.
- To discuss diagnostic imaging modalities for thoracic involvement.
- To highlight the preferred imaging techniques for vascular complications.
Main Methods:
- Review of intrathoracic manifestations in Behçet's disease.
- Evaluation of diagnostic utility of chest radiography.
- Assessment of CT and MR angiography for vascular assessment, contrasting with conventional angiography.
Main Results:
- Common thoracic findings include superior vena cava/mediastinal vein thrombosis and arterial aneurysms (aorta, pulmonary arteries).
- Pulmonary infarcts, hemorrhage, and pleural effusions are also noted.
- Chest radiography is the primary diagnostic tool; CT and MR angiography are preferred over conventional angiography due to complication risks.
Conclusions:
- Intrathoracic involvement in Behçet's disease requires careful diagnostic consideration.
- Chest radiography remains the initial imaging modality of choice.
- CT and MR angiography offer safer and effective alternatives for evaluating vascular complications, though pulmonary CT findings require further exploration.