[The involvement of the parenchyma of the central nervous system in Behçet disease].
BACKGROUND
Behçet disease is a systemic form of vasculitis which presents with neurological symptoms with a frequency varying between 16 and 40%. Involvement of the parenchyma has been found to worsen the prognosis in patients with neuroBehçet (NB).


OBJECTIVE
To review the clinical features and course of patients with NB involving the parenchyma of the central nervous system (CNS).


METHODS
Seven patients with Behçet disease and neurological localizing signs were seen in our hospital between 1989 and 1996. The initial diagnosis was of ischemic ictus in five of the seven patients. Both neuroimaging studies and investigation of the cerebrospinal fluid were always pathological in all cases. Vascular studies (arteriography and echo-Doppler of the supra-aortic trunks) were normal. One patient died. Four patients had serious sequelae following treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
NB should be included in the different diagnosis of ictus. Involvement of the parenchyma of the CNS was accompanied by lymphocytic meningitis, perhaps also leading to a worse functional prognosis.
Martínez-Yélamos
A
A
Servicio de Neurología, CSU de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de LI, Barcelona, España.
Vidaller
A
A
Mitjavila
F
F
Pujol
R
R
Jato
M
M
Rubio
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D001379:Azathioprine; D011241:Prednisone