ABSTRACT
In 1937, the Turkish dennatologist H. Beh~et called attention to the association of oral and genital ulceration with hypopyon-uveitis (1). Since then, Beh~et's disease has become associated with a number of additional clinical manifestations, each attributed to an underlying vasculitis. Vessels of all sizes may be affected. The most typical clinical lesions are mucocutaneous, reflecting involvement of small vessels, but inflammation of the aorta and its branches and veins of all caliber is also possible. The disease is recognized worldwide, but there are significant differences in the epidemiological, genetic, and clinical characteristics of the disorder among ethnic groups and in different geographical locations. As there are no specific manifestations or specific diagnostic tests, the tenn "Beh~et's syndrome" is preferred by some authors, especially for patients from low-prevalence areas whose disease manifestations are generally less severe and possibly due to other underlying conditions (2). The disease is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Treatment is dependent on the site and severity of manifestations (3).
