Behçet's Syndrome with Obstruction of the Venae Cavae<subtitle>A REPORT OF SEVEN CASES</subtitle>

Abstract

Seven patients with Behçet's syndrome are presented. All fulfilled at least two of the three major criteria of the syndrome—oral ulceration, genital ulceration, and ocular manifestations. In addition, in all the patients either the superior vena cava (five cases) or the inferior vena cava (five cases) or both (three cases) were partially or totally occluded as demonstrated by angiography. Analysis of these cases, together with 10 cases reported in the literature, indicates that in Behçet's syndrome the caval thrombosis begins in these or adjacent large veins themselves and the initiating event is probably vasculitis. It is concluded that the eaval thrombosis is not a mere association, but an integral manifestation of Behçet's syndrome.