Neuro-Behçet Disease in the Central University Hospital of Asturias

Abstract

Objective: To describe the frequency and profile of patients with neuro-Behçet's disease (NBD) at the Central University Hospital of Asturias between 1981 and June 2018.

Patients and methods: Retrospective study including epidemiological, clinical, neuroimaging, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) study, histopathology, treatment and evolution characteristics. Clinical characteristics are differentiated between patients with Behçet without neurological affectation and NBD.

Results: We found 10 cases of NBD (25.6%). The mean age was 29.7years, and it was more frequent in males. Sixty percent had parenchymal involvement. The non-parenchymal involvement included a case with cerebral venous thrombosis and two cases with isolated aseptic meningitis. Findings of vasculitis were found on cerebral magnetic resonance imaging, and alteration in the biochemistry of the CSF. One patient presented a striking motor disability. Ocular involvement was greater in the group of patients without neurological involvement (P=0.009).

Conclusions: NBD is a relatively frequent presentation, especially in males and in the parenchymal form. We did not find a systemic clinical marker of neurological involvement.

Keywords: Afectación neurológica; Behcet's disease; Central nervous system; Enfermedad de Behçet; Magnetic resonance imaging; Meningitis; Neurologic manifestations; Resonancia magnética; Sistema nervioso central.