title: Behcet's disease presenting with sudden-onset paraplegia due to anterior spinal artery involvement: 1-year follow-up of rehabilitation in conjunction with medication.
abstract: A 26-year-old male patient with sudden-onset paraplegia was presented. Clinical and imaging evaluation revealed isolated spinal cord lesions at thoracal levels and anterior spinal arterial involvement. Diagnosis of Behcet's disease was established with associating clinical findings with medical history. Vigorous medication and rehabilitation program were performed. Through the 1-year rehabilitation period in conjunction with medication, strength and functions improved gradually. A satisfactory functional gain as a rehabilitative goal in independence in activities of daily living and long-distance ambulation achieved around 4 months. The patient reached full independence after 1-year. As conclusion, Behcet's disease can present with sudden-onset paraplegia. In case of no evident etiology for paraplegia in young male, neuro-Behcet's disease also should be kept in mind. Contrary to assumption, early aggressive treatment and continuous rehabilitation in conjunction with medication might provide good prognosis with excellent clinical outcome in spinal cord involvement. Satisfactory functional recovery should be expected only after 3-4 months, and complete independence can be achieved after 1 year.
authors.affiliation: Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Turkish Armed Forces Rehabilitation Center, 06533 Bilkent, Ankara, Turkey. iltekinduman@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Iltekin
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Duman
authors.forename: Umut
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Guzelkucuk
authors.forename: Kutay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tezel
authors.forename: Koray
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aydemir
authors.forename: Bilge
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yılmaz
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply*