Retinal vasculitis and skin ulcer preceding Budd–Chiari syndrome in a patient with Behcet's disease

Abstract

Behcet's disease (BD) is a multisystem disorder with a classical triad of recurrent oral ulcers, genital ulcers, and uveitis. It involves both arterial and venous system which can lead to life-threatening complications. Both superficial and deep venous systems can be involved leading to peripheral skin lesions and devastating complications like cerebral venous thrombosis and Budd–Chiari syndrome (BCS). This report describes a case of an HLA B-52 positive BD in a 22-year-old woman who presented with retinal vasculitis and venous ulcer on the foot and later on developed ascites due to obstruction of supra-hepatic inferior vena cava (BCS). This report highlights the fact that BCS can develop in patients of BD and every ophthalmologist should be aware of this life-threatening complication while they are treating these patients, as timely diagnosis and intervention can prevent mortality.

Keywords

• behcet's disease
• budd-chiari syndrome
• hla b-52
• retinal vasculitis
• venous ulcer