Ear Swelling of Relapsing Polychondritis

Excerpt

A 61-year-old man presented to rheumatology clinic for evaluation of subacute ear swelling and pain. Physical examination demonstrated edematous, tender pinnae with sparing of the earlobes bilaterally (Fig. 1 Panel A). He had a C-reactive protein of 109.7 (<8.1 mg/L) and a proteinase 3 antibody of 74 AU/mL (26 AU/mL or greater defined as positive). An audiogram demonstrated sensorineural hearing loss. A diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis (RPC) secondary to granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) was made. Treatment with prednisone was initiated and on follow-up 8 weeks later, he had improvement in auricular inflammation (Fig. 1 Panel B). Rituximab was initiated for induction therapy of GPA.

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