Oral ulcerations after placement of orthodontic braces and skin pustules after laser hair removal: novel inducers of pathergy reactions in new-onset Behçet's disease

BMJ Case Rep. 2016 Mar 7:2016:bcr2014209208. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2014-209208.

Abstract

A 25-year-old man was admitted to our hospital, with fever, severe ulceration of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa, and pustules on his skin. These pathergy-like lesions had emerged after placement of orthodontic braces and laser therapy for hair removal, respectively. The patient's clinical condition, together with his ethnic background, pointed to the diagnosis of Behçet's disease. Treatment with colchicine and prednisone resulted in rapid improvement of his symptoms. Pathergy reactions in response to placement of dental braces and laser hair removal are a rare first presentation of Behçet's disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Behcet Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Behcet Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Colchicine / therapeutic use
  • Exanthema / etiology
  • Hair Removal
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Oral Ulcer / etiology*
  • Orthodontic Brackets / adverse effects*
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Skin Diseases, Vascular / etiology
  • Tubulin Modulators / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Tubulin Modulators
  • Colchicine
  • Prednisone