Hughes-Stovin syndrome

Last revised by Craig Hacking on 18 Aug 2021

Hughes-Stovin syndrome (HSS) is a vasculitis that predominantly affects large vessels. The disease bears some resemblance to Behçet disease.

Hughes-Stovin syndrome is very rare 7. It occurs predominantly between the 2nd to 4th decades. There is a recognized male predilection. 

The disease typically progresses in three sequential phases 5,7:

  • stage I: thrombophlebitis
  • stage II: formation and enlargement of pulmonary aneurysms
  • stage III: aneurysmal rupture 

In stages I and II, patients can have a very varied presentation, including respiratory features (e.g. cough, dyspnea, hemoptysis, chest discomfort), features of peripheral venous thrombosis (e.g. those of a deep vein thrombosis), and neurological features (e.g. headache, seizures, focal neurological deficits) 7. The presentation of stage III is typically fatal, most commonly with massive hemoptysis 7.

The pathogenesis of Hughes-Stovin syndrome is unknown, but is likely to be multifactorial, incorporating environmental (e.g. infections), genetic, and other immunological factors 7.

Typically affects pulmonary and bronchial arteries, but any large vessel can be involved.

Exact features will depend on the stage. Potential features include:

Management is guided by case reports and series owing to the rarity of the condition. Typically, immunosuppressive combinations are used, such as prednisolone with another immunosuppressant (e.g. cyclophosphamide, azathioprine) 7. Use of antiplatelet and anticoagulants does not prevent vascular thromboses and is therefore generally not recommended due to risk of fatal massive hemorrhage 7.

  • massive pulmonary hemorrhage (stage III): from a rupture of a pulmonary arterial aneurysm; often a terminal event 4

It is named after J P Hughes and P G Stovin who first described the condition in 1959 6.

General imaging differential considerations include:

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