Pulmonary manifestations of relapsing polychondritis

Clin Chest Med. 2010 Sep;31(3):513-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ccm.2010.04.004. Epub 2010 Jun 20.

Abstract

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a chronic multisystemic disease characterized by recurrent episodes of cartilage inflammation throughout the body. The lower respiratory tract is involved in 20% to 50% of patients and results in significant morbidity. Effective medical therapies and airway interventions are available in experienced centers; however, no single treatment is curative, and the prognosis of RP with airway disease remains overall guarded.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Endoscopy
  • Humans
  • Polychondritis, Relapsing / complications*
  • Prognosis
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / etiology*
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / physiopathology
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / therapy