Incomplete intestinal obstruction as the possible main complaint in Behcet's disease after surgery for recurrent abdominal aortic pseudoaneurysms: a case report and literature review

BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2018 Dec 17;18(1):238. doi: 10.1186/s12872-018-0977-z.

Abstract

Background: Behcet's disease (BD) is a systemic vasculitis characterized by oral and genital aphthosis, and ocular and skin lesions. The disease is involved in vascular, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems. Vasculitis may exacerbate fatal problems, such as anastomotic pseudoaneurysms. If the mesenteric vessels are involved, severe abdominal symptoms such as intestinal obstruction may occur.

Case presentation: This case report describes a young female patient who suffered from BD with recurrent abdominal aortic pseudoaneurysms, as well as deep venous thrombosis and subsequent complications of incomplete intestinal obstruction. This patient first underwent stent grafting, which was followed by rupture of two newly formed anastomotic pseudoaneurysms within six months. Emergency open surgical repair (OSR) was then performed on the ruptured pseudoaneurysms. Thrombosis and incomplete ileus occurred five months after surgery. This case was unique due to the presence of incomplete intestinal obstruction being the possible main complaint for a patient with Behcet's disease, and it is the first ever case to be reported.

Conclusion: Intestinal obstruction may present as the possible main complaint in BD. Careful and attentive strategy should be carried out to prevent fatal outcomes.

Keywords: Behcet’s disease; Incomplete intestinal obstruction; Recurrent abdominal aortic pseudoaneurysm.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aneurysm, False / diagnostic imaging
  • Aneurysm, False / etiology
  • Aneurysm, False / surgery*
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / etiology
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / surgery*
  • Aortography / methods
  • Behcet Syndrome / complications*
  • Behcet Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Behcet Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation*
  • Computed Tomography Angiography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Intestinal Obstruction / diagnosis
  • Intestinal Obstruction / etiology*
  • Recurrence
  • Reoperation
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents