Relapsing polychondritis with encephalitis: a case report and literature review.
We herein report the case of a 39-year-old man who developed bilateral auricular chondritis, conjunctivitis, and central neurological symptoms. He was diagnosed with encephalitis associated with relapsing polychondritis (RP) based on the findings of an ear cartilage biopsy, cerebrospinal fluid examination and magnetic resonance imaging. Although oral prednisolone (60 mg/day) was administered, the initial steroid therapy did not improve his symptoms. In contrast, methylprednisolone (mPSL) pulse therapy followed by prednisolone gradually ameliorated his condition. There were no episodes of recurrence during the two-year follow-up period. A review of the literature revealed that meningoencephalitis and encephalitis are rare, but important, complications of RP responsive to mPSL pulse therapy.
Department of Hematology, Nephrology, and Rheumatology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.
Mizuho
M
Nara
Atsushi
A
Komatsuda
Masaru
M
Togashi
Hideki
H
Wakui
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011081:Polychondritis, Relapsing / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D011239:Prednisolone; D008775:Methylprednisolone