[18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography imaging in a case of relapsing polychondritis

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare multisystemic disease that is characterized by recurrent inflammation of the cartilaginous structures of the external ear, nose, joint, larynx, and tracheobronchial tree. Airway involvement is present in up to 50% of patients with the disease and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. We describe a patient with relapsing polychondritis presenting with tracheal and bronchial abnormalities that were identified by an increased uptake on [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography.