EARLY DETECTION OF BEHCET'S DISEASE

,; ,; ,; ,; ,

Journal of the Korean Academy of Pediatric Dentistry 2009;36(4):575-579.
Published online November 30, 2009.

EARLY DETECTION OF BEHCET'S DISEASE

연세대학교 치과대학 소아치과학교실, 구강과학연구소

베체트병의 조기 진단

김승혜, 송제선, 최형준, 손흥규, 이제호

연세대학교 치과대학 소아치과학교실, 구강과학연구소

Correspondence: ,

Received: 21 September 2009 • Accepted: 5 November 2009

Abstract

Behcet's disease(BD) is a multisystem vasculitis that almost any organ in the body may be involved. Its diagnosis bases on clinical criteria in the absence of any specific laboratory test to confirm it. The clinical criteria proposed for the diagnosis for BD include recurrent oral and genital ulceration, skin lesion, ocular changes, and positive response to pathergy test. Besides these essential features, BD may manifest itself on the gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system, and other systemic involvements. Among these clinical features, recurrent oral ulcers are present in most BD patients, often as the initial symptom, preceding other manifestations by many years. Therefore, dentists are in the important position for the early detection and diagnosis of BD. In this case report, we are presenting a case of 6 year-old girl, who came to the pediatric dentistry department for evaluation and treatment of pain and dysphagia caused by severe recurrent oral ulcers. Through taking detailed dental and medical history and clinical examination, we reported the possibility of BD to the medical team and prescribed topical lidocaine to relief pain during swallowing. The medical team, which involved pediatrics, ophthalmology, dermatology, and gastroenterology, finally confirmed BD through various examinations. Detection of the possibility of BD in the dental field helped early diagnosis and proper management by the medical team.

Key Words: Behcet's disease(BD), Recurrent oral ulcers, Early detection