Multiple aneurysms in Behcet's disease

S. T. Bartlett, W. J. McCarthy 3rd, A. S. Palmer, W. R. Flinn, J. J. Bergan and J. S. Yao
Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL 60611.

Behcet's disease is characterized by recurrent ulcers of the mouth and genitalia and relapsing iritis. It is now recognized as a chronic multisystem disease affecting the skin, mucous membranes, eye, joints, central nervous system, and blood vessels. One of the known vascular complications of Behcet's disease is aneurysm formation or venous thrombosis. The two patients with Behcet's disease in this report developed multiple aneurysms over a short time span. Vascular surgeons dealing with young adults with peripheral aneurysms must be aware of this uncommon yet challenging clinical entity.