The red hearing: swollen ear in a patient with ulcerative colitis

Abstract

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare connective tissue disease of unknown etiology characterized by recurrent inflammation, degeneration and deformity of auricular cartilage. The autoimmune inflammation may also affect cartilage at other sites including nose, larynx, trachea and bronchi. Here, we present a case of relapsing polychondritis in a patient with ulcerative colitis. We also review the presentation, diagnosis and management of this condition.

Keywords

• cartilage disorder
• chondritis
• relapsing polychondritis
• ulcerative colitis