Invited Review

Vol. 2 No. 4 (2015): European Journal of Rheumatology

Relapsing polychondritis

Main Article Content

Hakan Emmungil
Sibel Zehra Aydın

Abstract

Abstract


Relapsing polychondritis (RPC) is a unique and rarely observed autoimmune condition regarded as recurrent extensive chondritis of the auricular, nasal, and tracheal cartilages. Moreover, heart, main arteries, skin, and eyes may be involved. Several forms of clinical manifestations may be seen, and the pathogenesis still remains anonymous. A concomitant disease, particularly myelodysplasia or other systemic autoimmune disease can be detected in one-third of the patients with RPC. The treatment of RPC should be considered on personal basis and classified according to disease activity and severity. This study reviews the available data on clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapeutics of the RPC.


Article Details