گزارش و بررسي يك مورد بيمار مبتلا به پلي كندريت راجعه در بيمارستان گلستان دانشگاه علوم پزشكي اهواز

A CASE REPORT OF A PATIENT AFFECTED BY RELAPSING POLYCHONDRITIS

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare multisystem disease of unknown ethiology The disease is characterized by episodic inflammation of cartilaginous structures resulting in tissue destruction. The role of immune system in the pathogenesis of relapsing polychondritis is well documented. There are standard clinical criteria for its diagnosis and if not there is ambiguity biopsy becomes necessary. The case reported is a young female patient aged 32 years, who was admitted to Golestan hospital. She had cartilage deformity including cauliflower ear and saddle - nose. In addition she suffered from intercostal cartilage deformity and severe respiratory problems. On examination she had dyspnea and tachypnea and wheezing. The duration the disease perior to diagnosis was approximately two years. The treatment was carried out with aggressive high dose steroid and cyclophosphamide pulse therapy. After a few days of treatment the respiratory manifestation was suppressed and she was discharged with good general condition, although cartilage deformities persisted. She is now under observation and tapering of the dosage of steroid therapy.