Korean J Anesthesiol.  1999 Jun;36(6):1087-1090. 10.4097/kjae.1999.36.6.1087.

Relapsing Polychondritis Diagnosed after Stellate Ganglion Block: A case report

• Jeong SW
• Hong SH
• Kwak SH
• Chung SS
• Jeong CY
• Im WM

• KMID: 2238623
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1999.36.6.1087

Abstract

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is an uncommon disorder of unknown etiology characterized by inflammation and destruction of the cartilaginous structures of many organs, including the tracheobronchial tree. We experienced a rare case of RP diagnosed after stellate ganglion block. A 56-year-old female has been treated under impression of rheumatoid arthritis and bronchial asthma for several years, but her symptoms were not markedly relieved. We performed right stellate ganglion block with 8 mL of 1% mepivacaine for the relief of the right shoulder pain. About 5 minutes later, she complained severe dyspnea and became cyanotic. Bronchoscopic finding was diffuse bronchoconstriction during expiration. We confirmed the diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis by bronchoscopic biopsy finding. Unfortunately, she died 3 months later due to recurrent pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Keyword

Airway, obstruction, relapsing polychondritis; Sympathetic nervous system, stellate ganglion block

MeSH Terms

Arthritis, Rheumatoid
Asthma
Biopsy
Bronchoconstriction
Diagnosis
Dyspnea
Female
Humans
Inflammation
Mepivacaine
Middle Aged
Pneumonia
Polychondritis, Relapsing*
Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult
Shoulder Pain
Stellate Ganglion*
Mepivacaine