Relapsing polychondritis with isolated tracheal involvement: Imaging findings on CT, MRI, and PET-CT: A case report and literature review

Q4 Medicine

Radiology Case Reports Pub Date : 2025-09-20 DOI:10.1016/j.radcr.2025.08.092

Yurong Jiang MS , Qian Su PhD , Yu Zhao MS , Fengyu Sun MS , Piaoran Wang MS , Xiangzheng Wu MS , Jiongyue Yun MS , Huaigui Liu MD

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by recurrent inflammation and progressive destruction of cartilage-rich tissues. While auricular and nasal cartilage are commonly affected, isolated involvement of the trachea and main bronchi is exceedingly rare. We present the case of a 53-year-old female with low-grade fever, sore throat, and nonproductive cough. Laboratory results showed elevated inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor, and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Imaging studies CT, MRI, and PET-CT revealed irregular thickening and stenosis of the tracheal and bronchial cartilage rings. The patient responded favorably to glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive therapy, with significant improvement noted on follow-up imaging. This case emphasizes the importance of a thorough diagnostic approach in recognizing RP with atypical respiratory involvement.

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复发性多软骨炎伴孤立气管受累：CT、MRI及PET-CT影像学表现：1例报告及文献复习

复发性多软骨炎（RP）是一种罕见的自身免疫性疾病，其特征是复发性炎症和富含软骨的组织的进行性破坏。虽然耳廓和鼻软骨常受影响，但单独累及气管和主支气管极为罕见。我们提出的情况下，53岁的女性低烧，喉咙痛，和非生产性咳嗽。实验室结果显示炎症标志物升高，包括c反应蛋白（CRP）、类风湿因子和白细胞介素-6 （IL-6）。影像学检查CT、MRI和PET-CT显示气管和支气管软骨环不规则增厚和狭窄。患者对糖皮质激素和免疫抑制治疗反应良好，随访影像显示有明显改善。这个病例强调了一个彻底的诊断方法在识别非典型呼吸累及RP的重要性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Radiology Case Reports Medicine-Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging

CiteScore

1.10

自引率

0.00%

发文量

1074

审稿时长

30 days

期刊介绍： The content of this journal is exclusively case reports that feature diagnostic imaging. Categories in which case reports can be placed include the musculoskeletal system, spine, central nervous system, head and neck, cardiovascular, chest, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, multisystem, pediatric, emergency, women''s imaging, oncologic, normal variants, medical devices, foreign bodies, interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, ultrasonography, imaging artifacts, forensic, anthropological, and medical-legal. Articles must be well-documented and include a review of the appropriate literature.