Relapsing Polychondritis - Early Diagnosis and Treatment'

Relapsing polychondritis is a infrequent immune mediated systemic disease most commonly presenting as inflammation of the cartilage of the ears and nose. It can also affects the airway if involved laryngeal cartilage, then may result as a drastic complication if not timely treated. Patient with auricular and nasal involvement usually pesented as outdoor patient in the otorhinlaryngology department with painful, swollen and erythematous external ear (with sparing of ear lobules) and nose. Intialtreament with oral antibiotics and nonsteroidalanti inflammatory drugs does not result complete recovery. Patient responds to oral steriod. Oral steriod given for longer period followed by the use of steriod sparing drugs like methotrexate has been given in weekly doses along with folic acid in our case. Early diagnosis help in the prevention of developing permanent deformities like cauliflower ear, saddle nose.