Extensive Thrombophlebitis in a patient with Behçet's disease

Abstract

Behcet’s disease (BD) is a systemic vasculitis of unknown origin. It is well established that Behcet’s disease predisposes strongly to venous and arterial thrombosis and recurrent superficial and deep thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities. There are different considerations about the pathogenesis of the vascular complications and the tendency for thrombosis in BD. We came across a patient of Behcet’s disease in whom extensive thrombophlebitis and erythema nodosum, which was precipitated by a needle prick, responded to corticosteroids. This case highlights the importance of suspicion of this disease in patients presenting with extensive thrombophlebitis.