Osteonecrosis and bone infarction in association with Behçet's disease: Report of two cases

H.K. Chang¹, Y.J. Choi², S.K. Baek², D.H. Lee³, K.S. Won⁴

Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine¹; Department of Orthopedic Surgery²; Department of Diagnostic Radiology³; Department of Nuclear Medicine⁴, Ulsan University Asan-Kangnung Hospital, Kangnung, Korea.

ABSTRACT
We describe two cases with Behçet's disease (BD) developing osteonecrosis or bone infarction. One patient developed the extensive bone infarction of the left knee without the use of corticosteroids. The other patient had osteonecrosis at the right femoral head. He had had a past history of significant corticosteroid administration to treat several complications of BD such as central nervous system involvement, uveitis, gastrointestinal involvement, and pulmonary involvement. Anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies were positive in these two patients. One was IgG type, and the other was IgM type. However, it remains unclear that there is relationship between the presence of aCL antibodies and occurrence of osteonecrosis.

Key words
Behçet's disease, osteonecrosis, bone infarction, anticardiolipin antibodies.

Please address correspondence and reprint requests to: Hyun Kyu Chang, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan-Kangnung Hospital, College of Medicine, Ulsan University, 415 Bangdongri, Sachunmyun, Kangnung-city, Kangwondo, Republic of Korea, 210-711. 
E-mail: mailto:hanks@knh.co.kr

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2001; 19: S51-S54.
© Copyright Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2001.