Relapsing Polychondritis: A Case Report

Relapsing Polychondritis (RP) is an uncommon inflammatory disorder of unknown cause characterized by an episodic and progressive course affecting predominantly the cartilage of the ears, nose and laryngotracheobronchial tree. It has seldom been described in children. We report on a 2-year old girl with a preliminary diagnosis of Juvenile Chronic Arthritis (JCA), when she was 1 year old. She was treated with Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and oral steroids. Six months later her polyarthritis relapsed and she had additional bilateral auricular chondritis; at this time RP was diagnosed due to the appearance of criteria of McAdam-Michet et al. RP should be considered in differential diagnosis of JCA. Steroids and systemic immunosuppressants can be used to treat the RP.