Relapsing polychondritis: a rare disease with varying symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
Relapsing polychondritis (RPC) is a rare systemic disease affecting primarily cartilaginous and proteoglycan-rich structures. It is a potentially fatal disease with unknown aetiology. There are no specific tests for RPC. The diagnosis is dependent on clinical criteria, which include chondritis of both auricles, non-erosive inflammatory polyarthritis, nasal chondritis, ocular inflammation, respiratory tract chondritis and cochlear and/or vestibular damage. Ocular symptoms will occur in approximately 60% of RPC patients. As an example, a patient with signs of RPC is described.


RESULTS
A 30-year-old woman was referred to our department for evaluation of a central corneal ulcer in the left eye. She had a history of recurrent pain in both her auricles and was also found to have a nasal septum perforation. Relapsing polychondritis was suspected.


CONCLUSIONS
Non-healing corneal ulcers should alert the ophthalmologist to look for unusual reasons for this condition. RPC is one possible cause.
Peebo
Beatrice Bourghardt
BB
Department of Ophthalmology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. beatrice.peebo@lio.se
Peebo
Markus
M
Frennesson
Christina
C
D000328:Adult; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011081:Polychondritis, Relapsing / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents