Misdiagnosis of Behçet's disease with unknown protracted fever and chill after surgical excision of cardiac tumor

Rheumatol Int. 2012 Jul;32(7):2177-9. doi: 10.1007/s00296-010-1428-z. Epub 2010 Mar 30.

Abstract

Behçet's disease involving the heart is extremely rare. Sometimes it is probable to misdiagnose as infective endocarditis when protracted fever and chill occurs. We report a case of protracted pyrexia of unknown origin after surgical excision of a cardiac tumour. Clinically and pathologically a diagnosis of infective endocarditis was probable but antibiotics had no effect. After case review the diagnosis of Behçet's disease was established and the patient was treated with glucocorticoids which resulted in resolution.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Behcet Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Behcet Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Chills / diagnosis*
  • Chills / drug therapy
  • Diagnostic Errors*
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / diagnosis
  • Fever / diagnosis*
  • Fever / drug therapy
  • Heart Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Neoplasms / pathology
  • Heart Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tricuspid Valve / surgery
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Methylprednisolone