Relapsing Polychondritis Treated with an Uncovered Ultraflex Stent

Abstract

Background. Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare, multisystem disorder of unknown cause, affecting cartilages and connective tissues. Airway complications caused by stenosis and infection can be fatal. We treated a case of RP with an uncovered Ultraflex Stent, resulting in a satisfactory clinical course. Case. A 61-year old woman with right auricular chondritis, saddle nose, tracheal stenosis was diagnosed with RP. She was suffering from severe dyspnea because of tracheal stenosis and administration of steroids. Since her symptoms did not improve, we placed a T-tube at the stenotic lesion of the trachea. Because the patient had difficulty expectorating sputum and respiratory infection recurred, we removed the T-tube and placed a 14mm×80mm uncovered Ultraflex Stent at the trachea and a 10mm×40mm uncovered Ultraflex Stent in the truncus intermedius. After placement of the uncovered Ultraflex Stent, the patient's complaints disappeared and no complications associated with use of the stent have been noted for 81 months. Conclusion. Uncovered Ultraflex Stent is effective for the treatment of airway stenosis caused by relapsing polychondritis.