Relapsing polychondritis: a rare disease with varying symptoms

Purpose: Relapsing polychondritis (RPC) is a rare systemic disease affecting primarily cartilaginous and proteoglycan-rich structures. It is a potentially fatal disease with unknown aetiology. There are no specific tests for RPC. The diagnosis is dependant on clinical criteria, which include chondritis of both auricles, non-erosive inflammatory polyarthritis, nasal chondritis, ocular inflammation, respiratory tract chondritis and cochlear and/or vestibular damage. Ocular symptoms will occur in approximately 60% of RPC patients. As an example, a patient with signs of RPC is described. Methods/Result: A 30-year-old woman was referred to our department for evaluation of a central corneal ulcer in the left eye. She had a history of recurrent pain in both her auricles and was also found to have a nasal septum perforation. Relapsing polychondritis was suspected. Conclusion: Non-heating corneal ulcers should alert the ophthalmologist to look for unusual reasons for this condition. RPC is one possible cause.