Can Behcet's Syndrome Cause Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm?

Posted on Wed, 24 May 2017

Question: I have Behcets disease and was recently told that I have collapsed veins in my lungs. How does this affect the progression of my disease and what can I do to help keep my lungs healthy? YYYY@YYYY

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Behcets Disease is usually affecting pulmonary artery.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Behcets Disease is small vessel vasculitis.
It is systemic disease and mainly involve skin, mucosa, eyes, bowels and lungs.
In lungs it usually causes nodules, cavities, pulmonary artery thrombosis, pulmonary artery aneurysm. It usually dont affect Pulmonary veins.
So I want to know which lung related reports are done which is showing collapse of pulmonary veins.
Is it on HRCT or on CT Pulmonary angiography?
I also want to know if you are having any pulmonary symptoms like hemoptysis, cough, breathlessness etc. If these symptoms are present then prognosis is not good. But if these symptoms are absent then no need to worry much for lung involvement.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (7 days later)

The diagnosis was made after a mild mva that left me acutely sob. Since I am on heparin therapy for multiple DVT's and a XXXXXXX tia (I am coumadin intolerant), I was taken to hospital for routine xray and check. I had been experiencing tightness in my chest, cough, and sob, but thought I had a simple cold. An abnormality in the right upper lobe of my lung aws discovered, and this was the dx given. I was surprised that no other follow up tests were ordered to rule out or confirm the dx, as I have not had any pulmonary involvement thus far. I do however have neurological symptoms including but not limited to headaches, confusion, memory loss and one XXXXXXX tia that left no lasting markers showing on mri.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Ideally CT pulmonary angiography should be done.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Sorry to say but your diagnosis is not appropriate.
In my opinion, CT pulmonary angiography should be done in your case because you had DVTs and your symptoms like chest tightness, coughing, shortness of breath etc are suggestive of Pulmonary embolism.
So I think your current diagnosis (Collapsed Pulmonary veins) is wrong.
Please let me know
1. Have you ever undergone CT pulmonary angiography?
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng