Warning: The NCBI web site requires JavaScript to function. more...
Generate a file for use with external citation management software.
Emergency Medicine Residency, Darnall Army Community Hospital, Fort Hood, Texas.
Auricular pain, redness, and swelling are usually the result of infectious cellulitis. However, relapsing polychondritis is another cause of this symptom complex and is the result of an autoimmune phenomenon. It presents with inflammation and destruction of both articular and nonarticular cartilage, with the external ear and joint cartilage most often involved. Although usually indolent with multiple acute exacerbations, relapsing polychondritis can be rapidly fatal if the airway or cardiovascular system is involved. We present a case of relapsing polychondritis initially mistaken for auricular cellulitis. The clinical manifestations and course of relapsing polychondritis are reviewed, along with the emergency department management.
Your browsing activity is empty.
Activity recording is turned off.
Turn recording back on