A CASE SERIES OF INTRACARDIAC THROMBOSIS REVEALING BEHCETS DISEASE IN MOROCCAN PATIENTS

Aim of the work: The clinical presentation of Behcets disease (BD) is varied, While cardiovascular effects such as pericarditis, acute myocardial infarction, conduction disorders, and valvular disease have been reported, they are infrequent. The formation of intracardiac thrombus, as seen in our patients, is an exceptional occurrence. Patients and methods: We present a retrospective study of 4 cases of intracardiac thromboses in a series of 50 patients followed for BD in our department (over a period of four years), The diagnosis is made on the basis of the criteria proposed by the International Study Group (ISG).

Results: All were male, the mean age at the time of the ICT diagnosis was 29.5 years. The main presenting symptoms were hemoptysis, chest pain, and dyspnea. It was associated with pulmonary artery aneurysm in two cases, and pulmonary embolism in all cases. In three cases, echocardiography was sufficient to reach the diagnosis but, in one, the difficulty of differential diagnosis with a cardiac tumor has been raised. The diagnosis has been confirmed by examining the operative specimen histologically in the case of this deceased patient, who experienced postoperative complications. Three patients were treated with immunosuppressant agents, corticosteroids, and anti-TNF alpha, one of whom showed a good response to treatment.

Conclusion: A potential diagnosis of BD should be considered if a patient presents with an intracardiac mass, this is especially relevant in young male patients.