A Case of Relapsing Polychondritis / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare disorder that involves a multisystem characterized by recurrent inflammation, degeneration of cartilage and connective tissue. The following tissues, in the order of decreasing frequency, may be involved auricules, joint, nose, eyes, respiratory tract, heart valve and skin. The cause is unknown but an autoimmune mechanism has been thought to be the causative factor. Authors have recently experienced a case of relapsing polychondritis in a 71 year old man diagnosed by direct immunofluoroscene and auricular chondritis.