A case of relapsing polychondritis associated with scleritis

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare rheumatologic disorder most commonly presenting as recurring episodes of inflammation in cartilaginous tissues. Auricular chondritis with red ears resembling cellulitisis the most common clinical manifestation. Other manifestations include arthritis, nasal chondritis, and ocular, pulmonary, and cardiovascular disease. Here we report the case of a 54-year-old female patient with relapsing polychondritis and associated scleritis. On histologic examination, the auricle, including cartilaginous tissues, showed loss of the normal basophilia of cartilage and perichondrial infiltration of inflammatory cells. The patient was treated with systemic steroids. Symptoms in both auricles were reduced, scleritis developed, and ocular symptoms were waning.