Here it states no always a red ear.

[Guest guest]

May 8, 2002

First Aid

Doctors' Views Library

Health Facts Library

Medical Links

About Us

Meet the Doctors

Help

Search

Advanced Search

Ask The Experts!

Question Regarding:Relapsing Polychondritis

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--

Viewers Question

I was diagnosed with RP 12/96 with involvement of auricle of left ear.Its now

moved to the right also.Increasing doses of Mtx and yo-yoing of prednisone

isnt controlling my progression. How quickly does this disease progress to

the trachea? What is the life expectancy then? What are the percentages of it

staying only in the ears? Nobody including doctors can give me a feel of what

to expect. I like to be somewhat prepared. I relate to facts not guess work.

Other than this disease Im generally healthy. Thank You.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--

Doctors Answer

Relapsing polychondritis is a disease of inflammation of cartilage and

related tissues. While the cause is not known, it is felt to be a result of

an abnormal immune system that spontaneously becomes overly active to promote

inflammation in the tissues involved.

Relapsing polychondritis is not common and is not predictable.

Common areas of cartilage inflammation in relapsing polychondritis include

the ears and nose. Active inflammation is characterized by redness, pain,

swelling, and tenderness of the tissues. Other areas of inflammation include

the joints, eyes, cartilage areas of the breathing passages and chest wall,

and the aorta. Indeed, some patients with relapsing polychondritis never have

ear involvement (though this is not usual).

Relapsing polychondritis does not necessarily progress to involve additional

areas of cartilage.

The symptoms of relapsing polychondritis wax and wane (hence, the term

" relapsing " ). Recurrent inflammation can lead to destruction of the

cartilage, causing deformity of the ears (floppy ears) and nose (saddle

nose). Aorta and breathing passage disease (trachea and bronchi) can be

serious.

Even when there is trachea involvement, frequently patients can be monitored

and treated before any risk to life expectancy occurs. Signs of early

tracheal involvement include soreness in the neck, cough, and coarse

breathing sounds.

The diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis is suggested by signs of

inflammation in the typical areas mentioned above and is supported by blood

tests that indicate inflammation, such as a sedimentation rate. A biopsy of

involved cartilage can ultimately confirm the diagnosis, but is not always

necessary.

The treatment of relapsing polychondritis is directed toward decreasing

inflammation and relieving pain. Nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

are used for mild to moderate symptoms. Prednisone is used for more

significant illness. Very severe disease can require immune suppression

drugs, such as cyclophosphamide.

Thank you for your question.

Please remember, information can be subject to interpretation and can become

obsolete. Therefore, information should never be a substitute for an open and

trusting doctor-patient relationship. Always consult your doctor.