Color Doppler imaging of the orbital vessels in Behcet's disease

Objective: To investigate blood flow velocity changes, pulsatility and resi stivity index values of orbital vessels in Behcet's disease with or without ocular involvement (groups I and II) and healthy volunteers (group III). M ethods: Twenty-five eyes in the first group, 24 eyes in the second group an d 24 eyes in the third group were examined by using color Doppler imaging. Peak systolic and end-diastolic blood flow velocity measurements, pulsatili ty and resistivity index values were measured in ophthalmic, central retina l, nasal and temporal ciliary arteries and the central retinal vein. Result s: The end-diastolic blood flow velocity measurements in all arteries were significantly higher in groups II and III than in group I, but resistivity and pulsatility indexes of all arteries were higher in group I than the oth er two groups. There was no significant difference in blood flow velocity o f the central retinal vein in the three groups. Conclusion: Detection of in creased vascular resistance of orbital vessels may predict the diagnosis of ocular involvement in Behcet's disease. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, B asel.