A case of intestinal behçet's disease associated with bronchial asthma : Esophageal ulcers

Abstract

A 55-year-old female visited our hospital because of recurrent oral ulcers, pain in swallowing and paroxysmal dyspnea. She had genital ulcers 6 years ago and right sided gonitis 5 years ago. She has suffered from bronchial asthma for the past 3 years. She was diagnosed as having the incomplete type of Behcet's disease based on the history, laboratory data and physical findings. Barium enema revealed an ulcer and an ulcer scar in the terminal ileum. Upper GF series and endoscopic examination showed an elliptic ulcer in the middle esophagus. The esophageal lesions were observed endoscopically for 48 weeks. There were various forms of esophageal manifestations such as erosions, shallow or deep, small or large ulcers. They were elliptic, round, longitudinal or irregular in shape. All lesions were localized in the middle and lower esophagus. The cause of co-existence of Behcet's disease and bronchial asthma is not clear at present. © 1989, Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society. All rights reserved.