[Relapsing polychondritis: report of a case and review of the literature]

Abstract

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare disease of unknown etiology, characterized by episodic and progressive chondritis, ocular and audiovestibular involvement, and occasional cardiovascular abnormalities. The inflammation typically involves the cartilage of the ears, nose, trachea, larynx, ribs, joints, and Eustachian tubes. The major clinical features include auricular chondritis, arthritis, nasal chondritis, ocular inflammation, chondritis of the respiratory tract, audiovestibular damage, and cardiovascular disorders. RP occurs predominantly in Caucasians and is uncommon in Oriental patients. Two cases of RP have previously been reported in Taiwan. We report one Taiwanese patient who was diagnosed with RP according to the criteria proposed by Damiani and Levine. The patient has bilateral auricular chondritis, episcleritis, and uveitis. Successful treatment was accomplished with systemic corticosteroid and topical corticosteroid eye drops. At an outpatient visit one year and ten months after discharge, there was no evidence of recurrence.