Abstract

VARGAS, P; LOYOLA, K; SCHRAG, B  and  SOLIS, S. Relapsing polychondritis. Rev. argent. dermatol. [online]. 2016, vol.97, n.2, pp.84-89. ISSN 1851-300X.

Relapsing Polychondritis (RP) is a rare inflammatory connective tissue disease of unknown etiology. It is characterized by episodic and progressive inflammation of cartilage tissue, especially ear, nose and tracheobronchial tree. We report the case of 58 year old Chilean female patient, who consulted for redness and pain in the right ear, with similar previous episodes in both ears and nose; along with symmetric polyarthritis study it is presented. Physical examination highlighted erythema, edema and local pain in ear, respecting lobe. With normal complementary examinations and presence of three diagnostic criteria of McAdam y col. relapsing polychondritis diagnosed, initiating oral prednisone, with favorable response. Despite being a rare disease, it is important to consider in recurrent cases of erythema and local pain in cartilaginous regions, mainly in ear and nose, so to achieve early diagnosis, to suppress the crisis and improve the prognosis of these patients.

Keywords : Relapsing polychondritis; Auricular chondritis; Nasal chondritis; Polyarthritis.