A recurrent intracardiac thrombosis in a patient with Behet's disease

Kim, Hyung Jin; Yang, Jeong Chae; Kim, Sung Hea; Chai, Ji Young; Jeon, Chan Hong; Cha, Hoon Suk; Koh, Eun Mi

Abstract

Behet's disease is a systemic disorder presenting with recurrent oral and genital ulcerations as well as uveitis often leading to blindness. Although vascular lesions are common complications of this disease, cardiac involvement is extremely rare. A 34-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with intermittent low-grade fever 8 months ago. At that time, the echocardiographic examination revealed a right atrial wall mass that was initially thought to be a vegetation, and surgical excision was performed. Histological finding was consistent with organizing thrombus. The patient was readmitted to the hospital with fever, chill and sore throat for about 4 weeks. His past medical history included recurrent oral and genital ulcerations and uveitis for 5 years. Right atrial mass was seen again on echocardiographic examination. On the basis of the clinical course and the presence of recurrent cardiac thrombus, a diagnosis of Beh?et's disease with recurrent intracardiac thrombosis was made. The patient was treated with prednisolone, colchicine, cyclosporine, and aspirin. Medical therapy resulted in complete resolution of his symptoms and disappearance of the right atrial thrombus.