Korean J Dermatol.  2002 Sep;40(9):1111-1115.

A Case of Relapsing Polychondritis Associated with Optic Neuritis

• Kim BJ
• Kim YJ
• Seo SJ
• Hong CK
• Song KY

Abstract

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare systemic disorder manifested by recurring episodes of inflammation in cartilagenous tissues including the eye, the audiovascular and cardiovascular systems. We describe a 53-year-old oriental woman with a one month history of painful swelling of both ears accompanied by intermittent hoarseness, dyspnea, impaired visual acuity, and swelling of hands. Both ear lobes were typically uninvolved. Auricle including cartilaginous tissues were histologically examined, which revealed loss of basophilic staining, degenerative changes, inflammatory cells infiltrations with eosinophils and neutrophils, and perichondrial inflammation of the cartilage. Oral prednisolone and colchicine were prescribed and the successful resolution of both ears swelling were observed. As the disease progressed optic neuritis and chewing difficulty by non-erosive motion limit of temporo-mandibular joints developed.

Keyword

Relapsing polychondritis; Optic neuritis

MeSH Terms

Basophils
Cardiovascular System
Cartilage
Colchicine
Dyspnea
Ear
Eosinophils
Female
Hand
Hoarseness
Humans
Inflammation
Joints
Mastication
Middle Aged
Neutrophils
Optic Neuritis*
Polychondritis, Relapsing*
Prednisolone
Visual Acuity
Colchicine
Prednisolone