Published online Feb 6, 2022. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i4.1441
Peer-review started: September 7, 2021
First decision: November 19, 2021
Revised: November 28, 2021
Accepted: December 23, 2021
Article in press: December 23, 2021
Published online: February 6, 2022
Processing time: 139 Days and 2.2 Hours
Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare inflammatory disease involving the systemic cartilage, such as the auricle, trachea, and bronchiole, among others. A patient with RP shows variable symptoms based on the involved cartilage.
A 72-year-old Japanese woman with a history of redness of the bilateral auricles for 3 d was referred to a clinician. The clinician prescribed antibiotics to the patient; however, the symptoms worsened; thus, she was referred to our hospital. Head and neck magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed edematous auricle with remarkable contrast, fluid collection in the bilateral mastoid cells, suggesting otitis media. The eustachian tube (ET) on the right side was also edematous with contrast enhancement. The patient was suspected of RP according to the diagnostic criteria. A biopsy of the auricular cartilage was performed by an otorhinolaryngologist, confirming pathological proof of RP. Treatments with steroids were immediately administered thereafter.
We highlight a rare case of RP with radiologically confirmed involvement of ET in the MRI.
Core Tip: Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare inflammatory disease involving the systemic cartilage. Its diagnostic criteria and clinical manifestations are well established; however, no previous studies have reported the involvement of the eustachian tube (ET) in RP. A 72-year-old Japanese woman with a history of redness of the auricles for 3 d was diagnosed with RP with pathological evidence. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed edematous ETs with contrast enhan