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Relapsing Polychondritis With Meningoencephalitis

Cutis. 2017 January;99(1):43-46
January 3, 2017|Cutis
Monica Tsai, MD;Mengjun Hu, MD;Jamie Zussman, MD;Scott Worswick, MD
Author and Disclosure Information

Dr. Tsai is from the Department of Internal Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California. Drs. Hu and Worswick are from the Division of Dermatology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Zussman is from the Department of Dermatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City.

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Correspondence: Scott Worswick, MD, 200 Medical Plaza at UCLA, Ste 450, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (sworswick@mednet.ucla.edu).

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare autoimmune disease of the cartilaginous structures of the body with many systemic manifestations including meningoencephalitis (ME). We present a case of a man with RP-associated ME that was responsive to steroid treatment. An updated literature review of 7 cases of RP-associated ME also is provided. Early diagnosis of this condition may be of benefit to this select population of patients, and further research regarding the prognosis, mechanisms, and treatment of RP may be necessary in the future.

Practice Points

  • Meningoencephalitis (ME) is a potentially rare complication of relapsing polychondritis (RP).
  • Treatment of ME due to RP can include high-dose steroids and biologics.

Conclusion

Although rare, RP should not be overlooked in the inpatient setting due to its potential for life-threatening systemic effects. Early diagnosis of this condition may be of benefit to this select population of patients, and further research regarding the prognosis, mechanisms, and treatment of RP may be necessary in the future.

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