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Relapsing Polychondritis

Relapsing polychondritis is an uncommon episodic systemic disease characterized by recurrent inflammation and destruction of cartilaginous tissues.

  • The diagnosis requires three of the following: recurrent auricular, nasal, tracheolaryngeal chondritis, nonerosive inflammatory polyarthritis, cochlear and/or vestibular damage, and inflammatory eye disease.
  • Auricular chondritis can be separated from cellulitis because it does not affect the earlobe.
  • Many diseases, especially vasculitis and myelodysplasia, are associated with relapsing polychondritis.
  • Corticosteroids are the mainstay of therapy but additional immunosuppressives may be helpful.

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RareDiseases NIH (GARD)

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Rheuma-Selbst-Hilfe (German)