Subglottic Stenosis as an Isolated Clinical Manifestation in Relapsing Polychondritis – A Case Report

Abstract

Relapsing Polychondritis is a rare, multisystem autoimmune disease still of unknown origin, characterized by recurrent inflammation of the hyaline cartilages. The involvement of Laryngotracheal cartilages in polychondritis is one of the most serious known complications, observed in 50% of patientswith worse prognosis. Among the causesof death, laryngotracheal stenosis associated with pneumonia or severe respiratory failure stands out, and may be found in 10% to 50% of patients with the disorder. We describe a case of relapsing polychondritis in a female patient, with dyspnea as an initial manifestation, in which Grade III Cotton-Myer Laryngotracheal Stenosis was later confirmed. During the 10 years of investigation, clinical treatment stabilized the disease, but the respiratory distress persisted, which prompted the patient to be submittedto surgical correction of laryngotracheal stenosis.