Behcet's disease is a systemic disease involving skin, joint, gastrointestinal tract, vascular and nervous systems, characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcerations and ocular inflammation. The intestinal Behcet's disease has nonspecific
abdominal symptoms of colicky pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and malabsorption. Therefore, we need to differentiate with other disease having nonspecific abdominal symptoms.
We have experienced a case of lead intoxication after ingestion of herbal pills believed to contain lead compounds. A 40 year-old female with known Behect's disease was admitted due to acute colicky abdominal pain. The cause of abdominal pain and
anemia
was investigated and intestinal Behce't disease was ruled out. The diagnosis of lead intoxication was made by careful history, clinical manifestations, and various laboratory findings including peripheral blood smear, bone marrow aspiration and
biopsy,
serum lead and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin leles. We also used lead mobilization test for measure of chelatable lead level. The treatment was performed with 4 courses of EDTA infusion therapy and the clinical symptoms and chemical data
associated
with lead intoxication improved. (Korean J Gastroenterol 1994 ; 26 : 399-404)
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