EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF RELAPSING POLYCHONDRITIS BASED ON CLINICAL SYMPTOMS : A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Relapsing polychondritis is characterized by systematic inflammatory symptoms affecting the cartilage tissue throughout the entire body. The disease is caused by autoantibody type II collagen, and the fatality rate has been reported to be about 20%. Most diagnoses depend on the observation of clinical symptoms and often require a long time before they can be confirmed. Therefore, a pathology examination should be considered if symptoms occur or repeat. Obtaining a diagnosis and initiating appropriate treatment before serious complications occur is highly desirable. Onset and course : A 64-year-old man presented with pain, swelling of the left auricle and eye symptoms. Thereafter, inflammation of the right auricle swelling of the back of the right hand, and swelling in the base of the nose appeared. A diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis was made based on these clinical symptoms.