Magnetic resonance spectroscopic findings in neuro-Behçet disease.
BACKGROUND
Behçet disease is a heterogeneous, multisystem disorder with elements of both environmental and autoimmune pathologic processes. Neuro-Behçet, found in 10%-25% of Behçet patients, has been characterized as a vasculitis primarily affecting the brain stem. On magnetic resonance imaging, some cases demonstrate extension to the bilateral cerebral cortices and/or the spinal cord, often with a degree of mass effect. Content of this paper provides a case study, along with review of the literature regarding this disease entity, and proceeds to outline the appearance of neuro-Behçet on magnetic resonance spectroscopy.


CONCLUSIONS
In essence, a drop in the N-acetyl aspartate peak indicative of axonal loss in concert with elevations in lipid myoinositol and choline/creatine ratios (nonspecific markers of myelin breakdown) is found, indicating that a possible demyelinating process is complexed with the vasculitic pathology neuro-Behçet is traditionally ascribed to.
Scully
Shawna E
SE
Department of Medicine, Neurology Service, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany.
Stebner
Frederick C
FC
Yoest
Stephen M
SM
D000328:Adult; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*