[Dermatologic manifestations of atrophic polychondritis]

A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE: Dermatological manifestations are frequently observed in patients with relapsing polychondritis. However, they have not been extensively studied as polychondritis is a rare disease and the reported dermatological manifestations appear to be nonspecific. A WIDE SPECTRUM: The most frequently observed manifestations are aphthosis with sometimes complex aphthosis, nodular papular or purpuric lesions. Neutrophilic dermatosis has been reported in isolated cases. Histologically, these lesions correspond to nonspecific inflammatory infiltrates, vasculitis or thrombosis. Various pathological findings are observed in nodular lesions. RELATED AND OVERLAP CONDITIONS: Similar dermatological manifestations occur in Behçet's syndrome and in inflammatory bowel diseases. Patients with relapsing polychondritis and myelodysplasia very frequently have dermatological manifestations. Repeated blood cell determinations are therefore necessary in patients with relapsing polychondritis and dermatological manifestations.