Relapsing polychondritis in an asthma clinic: a pulmonologist perspective

The first case of relapsing polychondritis (RP) was described in 1923, and yet it remains a “medical mystery”, a much “overlooked” entity. It is an uncommon systemic disorder causing inflammation of cartilage affecting ear, nose, laryngotracheobronchial tree, eyes, joints, heart, blood vessels, kidney, and skin. Being a rheumatological entity presenting with ear and joint involvement most frequently, these patients land up in Otolaryngology and Rheumatology clinics mostly, though tracheobronchial involvement is among the most serious manifestation causing substantial morbidity and mortality. Herein, we report a case of RP and discuss available diagnostic techniques and airway interventions under the ambit of a pulmonologist, as airway involvement severely limits its prognosis.