[Hughes-Stovin Syndrome, a case report]

Abstract

The Hughes-Stovin syndrome is a rare entity characterized by deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary artery aneurysms of unknown etiology and pathogenesis. Some authors considered a variant of Behcet's disease. Its natural course is usually fatal. The symptoms are cough, dyspnea, hemoptysis, chest pain and fever. The treatment goes from steroids and cytotoxic agents to surgery. We present the case of a 41 year old man who shows dyspnea, hemoptysis, and chest pain leading to the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis of the right leg, lung thromboembolism and pulmonary artery aneurysms. He was treated with high-dose corticosteroids and 6 cyclophosphamide pulses of 1 gram each per 6 months with complete regression of aneurysms and symptomatology.

Keywords: Behcet's disease; deep vein thrombosis; hemoptysis; pulmonary artery aneurysms; vasculitis.