J Rheum Dis.  2015 Dec;22(6):374-377. 10.4078/jrd.2015.22.6.374.

A Case of Relapsing Polychondritis Presenting with Diffuse Tracheobronchial Involvement

• Yoo KM
• Hwang J
• Ahn JK

• KMID: 2222811
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4078/jrd.2015.22.6.374

Abstract

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare autoimmune disease involving the cartilaginous structures of the whole body. Its diagnosis can be difficult when the typical clinical features such as auricular chondritis are absent. Here, we report on a case of a 51-year-old female who presented with cough, dyspnea, and polyarthritis. Chest computed tomography showed the diffuse involvement of tracheobronchial cartilage. According to Damiani's criteria, she was diagnosed as relapsing polychondritis even though there was no unique involvement of auricular cartilage, and high dose steroid and immunosuppressive therapy were then started. This case indicated that patients who have tracheobronchial cartilage involvement without definite auricular chondritis should be considered for relapsing polychondritis as a differential diagnosis.

Keyword

Relapsing polychondritis; Tracheobronchial involvement

MeSH Terms

Arthritis
Autoimmune Diseases
Cartilage
Cough
Diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential
Dyspnea
Ear Cartilage
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Polychondritis, Relapsing*
Thorax

Figure

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  Figure 1. Saddle nose deformity.

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  Figure 2. Chest computed tomography showed diffuse thickening of tracheobronchial wall (A) axial view (B) coronal view.

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