Relapsing polychondritis: case report and review of the literature.

A 65-year-old man who experienced the acute onset of pain, redness, and swelling of his right ear was treated with antibiotics for erysipelas. Subsequently, the other ear and both eyes became inflammed. Relapsing polychondritis was diagnosed and treatment with prednisone was successful. Relapsing polychondritis, a rare multisystem disease, presents most commonly with auricular chondritis. Other clinical manifestations include arthritis, nasal chondritis, scleritis, damage to tracheal and bronchial cartilage, and aortic, cardiac, and renal involvement. The cause is autoimmune. Recurrent episodes of progressive inflammation result in destruction of cartilage. Treatment consists of administration of corticosteroids and other anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs.