A case of relapsing polychondritis complicated with aortic insufficiency is described in detail.
Clinical characteristics of this disease are systemic inflammatory involvement of cartilages, often complicated with conjunctivitis, scleritis, iritis, otitis interna and otitis media. Acute exacerbation and spontaneous remission of systemic chondritis are characteristic.
The etiology is still obscure, but according to Pearson, an unusual hypersensitive direct reaction to cartilage, sclera and membranes of the middle and internal ear, and some specific acquired deficiency of metabolism or harmful enzyme may be the important factors. Speculation on etiological relation between relapsing polychondritis and aortic insufficiency has been made.
Corticosteroid therapy has been effective to control the acute exacerbation.