[Laryngotracheobronchial involvement in relapsing polychondritis].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the clinical cause, treatments and prognosis of laryngotracheobronchial involvement in relapsing polychondritis (RP).


METHODS
Thirteen patients of RP with laryngotracheobronchial involvement were review retrospectively.


RESULTS
From 1983 to 1998, 20 patients with RP were managed in this hospital. Of them, 13 (65%) involving the laryngotracheobronchial region were observed. Respiratory tract lesions might be diffuse or localized and occurred in larynx (46%), trachea (69%) and bronchus (69%). Corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents and dapsone were used in these patients. Tracheotomy was performed in 4 patients with airway obstruction. Montgomery T-tube or self-expanding metal stent were used in 2 patients with tracheal collapse. Of 13 case, 2 died from respiratory complications. The 5-years survival rate was 78.6%.


CONCLUSIONS
Respiratory tract involvement is the most severe manifestation of the relapsing polychondritis and the main cause of death despite aggressive medical therapy or tracheotomy.
Li
W
W
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730.
He
L
L
Zhang
L
L
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011081:Polychondritis, Relapsing / Q000150:complications*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014140:Tracheotomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents