Isolated neuro-Behçet’s disease in a child, from headache to diagnosis: A case report

Abstract

Behçet's disease (BD) is an immuno-inflammatory multi-systemic disease characterized by ophthalmological and skin involvement, also oral and genital ulcers. Its etiology and pathogenesis are not clearly known. Neuro-Behçet's disease can occur as an isolated form or a rare complication of BD. Besides, diagnosis of neuro-Behçet's disease is difficult. Since Neuro-Behçet can result in morbidity and mortality, early diagnosis and treatment are important. The most important genetic factor in the pathogenesis of BD is Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA-B 51) allele positivity. A 9-year-old girl was brought to our outpatient clinic for 6 months with a migraine-like headache. The headache of the patient has a partial response to analgesics and rarely awakes from sleep at night accompanied by vomiting. The patient was diagnosed with an isolated neuro-Behçet's disease by HLA-B 51 allele positivity and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. In the current study, the roles of HLA-B 51 allele positivity and brain MRI findings were discussed in the diagnosis of neuro-Behçet's disease.