Timeline in Pictures of Oral Aphthae as a Presenting Symptom for Behcet’s Disease

Abstract

Behcet's Disease (BD) is a chronic relapsing and remitting vasculitis with an unknown cause. With its propensity to involve all size arteries and veins and the ability to affect all organ systems, BD can result in significant mortality. BD is commonly referred to as the "silk road" due to the high incidence of BD in the ancient Mediterranean trading route known as "Old Silk Road." A timeline in pictures of oral aphthae is presented to emphasize the need for increased awareness among clinicians to recognize the various manifestations of BD to diagnose and offer prompt, timely treatment. The evidence base for treatment is limited and further studies are needed to ascertain the prevalence and distribution as well as associated genetic factors of BD in the U.S.