title: High dose intravenous steroid therapy for severe posterior segment uveitis in Behçet's disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of high dose intravenous steroid therapy (HDIST) in Behçet's disease patients with severe posterior segment uveitis attacks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five patients with ocular Behçet's disease were treated with HDIST for severe posterior segment attacks. Two patients had vasculitis, one patient had papillitis, and the other two had retinitis; four patients also had accompanying severe vitritis. The visual acuities and improvement in ocular signs after HDIST were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During HDIST, patients had no systemic complications caused by treatment. All patients responded to HDIST with evidence of a decrease in intraocular inflammatory activity and improved visual acuities within a mean time of 7 (1-15) days of commencing treatment. During follow up three out of five patients had new posterior segment attacks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HDIST is effective in controlling severe, vision threatening acute posterior segment Behçet's uveitis attacks and in improving visual function in a short period of time
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Marmara University Medical School.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Toker
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kazokoğlu
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Acar
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015866:Uveitis, Posterior / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D008775:Methylprednisolone