Elusive diagnosis of Behcet's disease in setting of painless vision loss.

Publication/Presentation Date

12-1-2020

Abstract

Behcet's disease is a chronic, idiopathic vasculitis with multisystem involvement commonly characterized by the classic triad of oral lesions, genital ulcerations, and uveitis. We discuss the case of a 22-year-old woman with a long-standing history of oral ulcers and vulvovaginal burning who presented with acute painless uveitis. With this presentation, there was an initial concern for infectious retinitis for which she was started on systemic antiviral therapy. Subsequent infectious disease workup was ultimately negative. Given her medical history and current presentation, she was diagnosed and treated for an acute inflammatory episode of ocular Behcet's disease. The patient's vision returned to baseline prior to discharge after treatment with systemic glucocorticoids. The diagnosis of Behcet's disease in the setting of painless vision loss can oftentimes be elusive. However, it is important for clinicians to keep this condition as a differential diagnosis in patients presenting with acute onset uveitis as the progression of Behcet's disease can lead to severe vision loss and blindness without prompt and adequate treatment.

Volume

8

First Page

2050313

Last Page

2050313

ISSN

2050-313X

Disciplines

Family Medicine | Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

33403115

Department(s)

Department of Family Medicine, Department of Family Medicine Faculty, Department of Family Medicine Residents

Document Type

Article

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