[Neurological manifestations of Behçet's disease]

Rev Neurol (Paris). 2002 Oct;158(10 Pt 1):926-33.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The neurological complications of Behçet's Disease are observed in 5 to 35 percent of cases depending of series. They included vascular and central nervous system manifestations. Vascular involvement is dominated by cerebral venous thrombosis marked by benign intracerebral hypertension. Prognosis is favourable with steroids and anticoagulation. Arterial involvement (thrombosis or aneurysm) are seldomly observed but increasingly with angio-MRI. Parenchymal involvement is dominated by meningoencephalitis eventually associated with fever. Myelitis and cranial nerve palsy are seldomly encountered. Cerebrospinal fluid is abnormal with lymphocytosis or pleiocytosis. MRI has a high sensitivity with hypersignals in the brainstem, basal ganglia, internal capsule and thalamus. Prognosis of central nervous system involvement is severe. Initially recovery is frequent, but severe impairment occurs due to relapse. In our experience, therapy including steroids, immunosuppressive drugs and colchicine improve short term and long term prognosis due to significant reduction of relapse in patients with good observance.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Behcet Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Behcet Syndrome / pathology*
  • Behcet Syndrome / therapy
  • Cerebral Arteries / pathology
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / pathology
  • Humans
  • Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis
  • Nervous System Diseases / pathology*
  • Nervous System Diseases / therapy
  • Steroids
  • Thrombophlebitis / pathology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Anticoagulants
  • Steroids