1/6. Remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting oedema in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome and relapsing polychondritis.Remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting oedema (RS3PE) may be the inaugural manifestation of different rheumatic diseases of the elderly, malignancies and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare systemic disorder characterised by an inflammatory process involving predominantly cartilaginous structures, the cardiovascular system and organs of special sense. We report on a 72-year-old man with RS3PE and MDS, refractory anaemia subtype, diagnosed at the same time as RS3PE. Several months later the patient presented a clinical and pathological picture compatible with RP. Although the association between RP and MDS is well known, no previous cases of RS3PE preceding RP have been reported. This case confirms that RS3PE may herald many diseases, among others autoimmune disorders such as RP.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = cardiovascular system (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/6. A case of multisymptomatic relapsing polychondritis in a 22-year-old woman.A case of multisymptomatic relapsing polychondritis in a 22-year-old woman. We report a case of a 22-year-old woman with relapsing polychondritis (RP)--a rare and little known systemic autoimmune disease characterised by episodic inflammation of cartilaginous structures (ear, nose, bronchi, trachea, larynx, ribs, cardiovascular system). This patient presents with a seven-year history, initiated by the saddle nose. The patient developed a multitude of symptoms: auricular chondritis, ocular symptoms, recurrent arthritis, respiratory complications (laryngotracheomalacia, bilateral vocal cord palsy), sensorineural hearing loss and enchondroma of the humeral bone. The examination of an auricle biopsy by an immunofluorescent method and a positive serum reaction from the patient to normal cartilage supported the immunological nature of relapsing polychondritis. Treatment consisted of orally administered prednisone and diaminodiphenylsulfone (dapsone).- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = cardiovascular system (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/6. Relapsing polychondritis: an unusual cause of painful auricular swelling.Auricular pain, redness, and swelling are usually the result of infectious cellulitis. However, relapsing polychondritis is another cause of this symptom complex and is the result of an autoimmune phenomenon. It presents with inflammation and destruction of both articular and nonarticular cartilage, with the external ear and joint cartilage most often involved. Although usually indolent with multiple acute exacerbations, relapsing polychondritis can be rapidly fatal if the airway or cardiovascular system is involved. We present a case of relapsing polychondritis initially mistaken for auricular cellulitis. The clinical manifestations and course of relapsing polychondritis are reviewed, along with the emergency department management.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = cardiovascular system (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/6. Relapsing polychondritis with aortitis without valvular involvement.Relapsing polychondritis is a multisystemic disease of unknown etiology that mainly involves the cartilaginous portions of the ear, nose, and trachea. Occasionally, there is involvement of the cardiovascular system, which usually results in severe morbidity and mortality. The most common manifestation of cardiovascular involvement is aortic root dilation resulting in aortic regurgitation. We describe the first case in korea, a 51-year-old woman with relapsing polychondritis with aortitis, but without aortic valve involvement. She presented only with complaints of abdominal pain, and was successfully treated with corticosteroids and methotrexate.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = cardiovascular system (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/6. Relapsing polychondritis presenting as cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa.Relapsing polychondritis is an infrequently diagnosed, though not necessarily uncommon, systemic disorder characterized by recurrent and potentially destructive inflammation of cartilaginous structures, the eye, and the audiovestibular and cardiovascular systems. Although dermal involvement occurs in approximately 25% of patients with relapsing polychondritis, in only few cases has a skin biopsy been obtained revealing lesions such as leukocytoclastic vasculitis, livedo reticularis, erythema nodosum or keratodermia blenorrhagicum. We describe a patient with relapsing polychondritis in whom a cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa preceded cartilage inflammation by 6 months. Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa is a rare form of vasculitis that appears to be limited primarily to the skin, muscles, and joints. In contrast to the systemic form of the disease it is characterized by the absence of visceral lesions and a relapsing but benign course. The present case and the fact that vasculitis is a concomitant feature in approximately 30% of patients with relapsing polychondritis [21] demonstrates that this condition may not represent a distinct clinical entity.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = cardiovascular system (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/6. Relapsing polychondritis with Castleman-like lymphadenopathy: a case report.Relapsing Polychondritis (RP) is a systemic disorder characterized by an inflammatory process involving predominantly cartilaginous structures and the cardiovascular system. Lymphadenopathy is a very uncommon finding of RP. We report on a patient affected by RP presenting with lymphadenopathy of Castleman-like type quickly responsive to corticosteroids. The bronchial involvement and the evolution of the inflammatory process in a 3-year follow-up has been documented by computed tomography of the chest.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = cardiovascular system (Clic here for more details about this article) |