Relapsing polychondritis: new pulmonary manifestations.
Publication/Presentation Date
2-1-1992
Abstract
Relapsing polychondritis is purported to be an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of cartilaginous structures including the nose, ears, glottis, trachea, and mainstem bronchi. Arthropathy, aortopathy, scleritis, conjunctivitis, iritis, vertigo, otitis media, glomerulonephritis, and skin lesions are common manifestations. We have recently cared for an elderly nonsmoker with a history of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and recurrent bouts of painful ear swelling who presented with a pulmonary infiltrate and pulmonary function studies suggestive of small airways disease. Subsequent transbronchial biopsy revealed no pathogens but was associated with excessive bleeding, perhaps suggestive of a vasculitic process in the lung. The pulmonary infiltrate cleared over a 2-month interval with the use of corticosteroids. Unusual in this otherwise classical case of relapsing polychondritis was that the pulmonary infiltrate and small airways disease were the prominent pulmonary manifestations and no tracheobronchial abnormalities were visualized.
Volume
144
Issue
2
First Page
58
Last Page
62
ISSN
0024-6921
Published In/Presented At
Burlew, B. P., Lippton, H., Klinestiver, D., & Haponik, E. J. (1992). Relapsing polychondritis: new pulmonary manifestations. The Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society : official organ of the Louisiana State Medical Society, 144(2), 58–62.
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
1573323
Department(s)
Department of Medicine
Document Type
Article