A CASE OF COMPLETE TYPE OF BEHCET'S DISEASE WITH ESOPHAGEAL ULCERS

Abstract

The complete type of Behcet's disease with esophageal ulcers is extremely rare in Japan. We report here a case of the complete type of Behcet's disease with recurrent multiple shallow ulcers cf the esophagus. A 56-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to dysphasia, pain in oral cavity and fever. He was diagnosed as having Behcet's disease on 1971 and treated with oral administra-tion of colchicine(0.5g/day). He had oral and genital ulcers and skin lesions on admission. Laboratory data disclosed accelerated ESR, positive ARP and leukocytosis. Upper gastrointes-tinal endoscopy revealed multiple shallow small ulcers and erosions in the upper and middle esophagus. The histology of biopsy specimens showed non-specific inflammation. Oral administration of colhicine at an increase dose(1.0mg/day)was effective. Thus, esophageal ulcers were considered as an esophageal involvement of Behcet's disease. Nineteen months later, esophageal ulcer recurred with aggravation of other Behcet's disease symptoms.