Two Cases of Relapsing Polychondritis, in Which Computed Tomography (CT) and High-resolution Computed Tomography were of Great Use to Detect Tracheobronchial Manifestations

Abstract

We encountered two patients with relapsing polychondritis (RP), who initially presented only with respiratory symptoms. Steroid was not effective for one patient whose outcome was dismal. The other patient was maintained on steroid therapy (PSL 10mg) for one year, after which polychondritis relapsed. In the first patient, the stenosis of bronchus was detected by computed tomography. In the second patient, high-resolution computed tomography detected the thickened third and fourth bronchi which markedly improved after treatment. We consider that CT and HRCT are very helpful detecting early tracheobronchial manifestations of RP and also in assessing the effect of treatment.