Dyspnea and hemoptysis revealing Behçet's syndrome: Pulmonary artery aneurysms in a case report

Abstract

Behçet's disease is a systemic vasculitis that primarily affects young adults. Arterial involvement in Behçet's disease is rare and associated with a poor prognosis. This manifestation is rarely the initial presentation, often leading to a delayed diagnosis. We present the case of a 27-year-old man who arrived at the emergency department with dyspnea and hemoptysis. An initial chest X-ray revealed bilateral opacities, and subsequent thoracic CT angiography confirmed the presence of pulmonary artery aneurysms. Pulmonary artery involvement, though rare, is a serious condition that manifests as hemoptysis (airway bleeding) caused by pulmonary aneurysms. These aneurysms, often challenging to diagnose, can result in severe hemorrhages and carry a low 2-year survival rate. CT pulmonary angiography is the most effective imaging method for identifying thoracic manifestations of Behçet's disease. Treatment includes early immunosuppression, surgery, or embolization in severe cases, such as those involving massive hemoptysis.