Relapsing Polychondritis Presenting As Sub-Glottic Stenosis

Relapsing Polychondritis is a rare disease of unknown aetiology, characterized by recurrent inflammation of the cartilages in different organs. Inflammation of the pinnae and nasal cartilages are the most common features, but the eustachian tubes, trachea, larynx, bronchi, cochlea and vestibule, and costochondral joints are frequently involved. An arthropathy and an ocular inflammation are often seen. The disease is regarded as an autoimmune disorder because of the co-existence of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjogren’s Disease, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Sysytemic Vasculitis, Behcet’s Disease, Reiter’s Disease and Ankylosing Spondylitis in about one third of patients with Relapsing Polychondritis.Laryngeal involvement is the presenting feature in about 15% of patients. This rare case of a young black female presented with sub-glottic stenosis, requiring emergency tracheostomy following bronchoscopy.