[Clinical-biochemical study of systemic panchondritis]

With the help of a casuistic and the results of own investigations clinical, differential-diagnostic, biochemical, pathogenetic and therapeutic aspects of panchondritis systemica are described. The very rare clinical picture, which coincides with chondrolysis and perichondritis, manifests itself intermittently in the region of the auricles, the nose, the cartilaginous parts of the ribs as well as of the chondroskeleton of the respiratory system and in most cases has a fatal termination. Probably on the basis of the pathogenetically decisive changes of the basic substance in addition to this arthritic symptoms, symptoms similar to Bechterew's disease, carditic as well as ocular and internal ear symptoms may appear. Results of own investigations refer to considerable abnormalities in the glucosamine glycan metabolism, in which case the question must remain open, whether these biochemical and immunologic factors are to be regarded as the primary pathogenetic cause. For avoiding irreparable and dangerous defects of the cartilage a sufficiency dosed treatment with corticoids is necessary.