Papillitis as the Initial Presentation of Behçet Disease

Abstract

Papillitis can rarely develop secondary to Behçet disease (BD). Even less commonly, it might be the initial finding of BD. The authors report four cases with papillitis, who were diagnosed as BD during their investigations. The visual acuities of the affected eyes were counting fingers in 3 cases, and 20/40 in 1 case, accompanied by optic disc edema with blurred margins in all of them. Two out of 4 cases also had occlusive vasculitis accompanying papillitis. Neurological examinations and cranial MRI were unremarkable, while the dermatologic examinations revealed findings consistent with BD. Following treatment with high-dose corticosteroids, optic disc edema resolved and visual acuities increased within 4 weeks in all cases. Recurrent papillitis was not recorded during the follow-up period of 6 months to 1.5 years.

KEYWORDS:

• Behçet disease
• corticosteroid therapy
• papillitis