[Clinical analysis of 5 cases of relapsing polychondritis].

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical manifestation of relapsing polychondritis(RP) and evaluate the medical therapy of RP, especially management of airway stenosis with intervening method.

METHOD: Retrospective analysis of 5 cases of RP treated in our hospital since 1995 with reviewing of large series of cases in reported literatures.

RESULT: RP is a rare multisystem disorder characterized by recurrent inflammation and progressive degeneration of cartilaginous structure and connective tissue. Medical treatment with corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs and dapsone could not interrupt the progression of the disease. Involvement of the respiratory tract is life-threatening and intervening therapy such as tracheostomy, endotracheal intubation or tracheobronchial stents is needed, one case of relieving severe dyspnea caused by extensive tracheobronchial collapse in RP with self-expanding metallic stents was presented.

CONCLUSION

It is important to make the diagnosis of RP according to the clinical features and carry out medial treatment at early stage, positive airway pressure support and intervening methods to prevent the airway collapse should be considered when the laryngotracheobronchial involvement aggreviates.