Insights into chest computed tomography findings in Behcet's disease.

INTRODUCTION

To evaluate the spectrum and frequency of abnormal chest multidedector computed tomography (MDCT) findings in Behcet's disease(BD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chest MDCT scans of 44 patients referred to radiology department for chest symptoms those had prior or newly established diagnosis of BD between 2009-2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Abnormal findings within pulmonary artery (PA), lungs, other large vessels, heart, mediastinum, pleura and pericardium were noted.

RESULT

Sixteen patients had one ore more computed tomography (CT) findings related to BD. PA involvement was most common (27.2%) presentation revealing thrombosis in 8 and aneurysms in 4 of 12 patients. Mean PA diameter was 29 ± 3.7 mm. Patients with PA involvement had significantly higher PA diameters than those without (p< 0.001). Hypertrophied bronchial artery seen as serpiginous vessels around hilum was a common finding (66.6%). Lung parenchyma findings was rarely isolated and usually associated with PA involvement with subpleural alveolar opacities, focal atelectasis and ill-defined nodular opacities. Cardiac filling defects were accompanying lesions in most of patients with PA aneurysms (75%).

CONCLUSIONS

BD is associated with a wide spectrum of simultaneous involvement of discrete anatomical sites. PA enlargement and hypertrophied bronchial artery is a clue for patients with PA involvement. Heart chambers should be checked for filling defects particularly in patients with PA aneurysms.