[Placement of an expandable metallic stent (Ultraflex) for tracheobronchial stenosis in relapsing polychondritis]

A 57-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of fever, cough and polyarthralgia. A physical examination revealed polyarthritis and saddle nose. Chest computed tomography showed stenosis of the trachea and both main bronchi. Relapsing polychondritis (RP) was diagnosed, and steroid therapy was started. Dyspnea at rest appeared suddenly. Bronchoscopy showed stenosis from the trachea to both main bronchi. An expandable metallic stent (Ultraflex) was placed in the trachea and both main bronchi. After the procedure, bronchoscopy showed a widely patent airway, and his symptoms were improved. Since airway complications of RP can be fatal, tracheobronchial stent placement should be considered in the management of RP with airway stenosis.