Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 1, 2026
06:38
Induction of Ocular Surface Inflammation and Collection of Involved Tissues
Published on: August 4, 2022
3.0K
Relapsing polychondritis with different types of ocular inflammations
Nana Furuya1, Toshiyuki Oshitari1, Jiro Yotsukura1
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Chiba University, Graduate School of Medicine, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Japan.
International Medical Case Reports Journal
|October 2, 2015
Summary
Relapsing polychondritis (RP) can cause serious eye inflammation and ear issues. Early recognition of RP by ophthalmologists is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment of this rare but life-threatening condition.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Ophthalmology
- Pathology
Background:
- Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare, systemic autoimmune disease characterized by progressive cartilage destruction.
- Ocular and auricular inflammation are common but sometimes overlooked manifestations of RP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the association between relapsing polychondritis and diverse ocular inflammatory conditions.
- To emphasize the importance of considering RP in patients presenting with both ocular and auricular symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Case report 1: A 35-year-old man with refractory episcleritis, developing tinnitus, deafness, and auriculitis, diagnosed with RP.
- Case report 2: A 71-year-old man with deafness, scleritis, orbital cellulitis, and auricular inflammation, diagnosed with RP.
- Histopathological examination of auricular biopsies confirmed lymphocytic infiltration in both cases.
Main Results:
- Both patients were diagnosed with relapsing polychondritis based on clinical presentation and biopsy findings.
- Systemic corticosteroid therapy led to significant improvement in ocular and auricular inflammation in both cases.
- The first patient's scleritis resolved after prednisolone tapering, while the second patient's symptoms improved with 40 mg/day oral prednisolone.
Conclusions:
- Ophthalmologists should maintain a high index of suspicion for relapsing polychondritis in patients with unexplained ocular inflammation, especially when accompanied by auricular or audiovestibular symptoms.
- Prompt diagnosis and management of RP are essential due to its potentially life-threatening nature and the risk of progressive cartilage damage.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
916
Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
916
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
4.1K
Understanding the variety of primary symptoms and systemic complications that characterize chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is crucial for healthcare professionals.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
4.1K
01:23Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
872
Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
872
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
1.5K
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
1.5K
01:22Pericarditis I: Introduction
637
Pericarditis is defined as the inflammation of the pericardium, the thin, sac-like membrane surrounding the heart. This condition can cause significant chest pain and other symptoms, often necessitating medical intervention. The pericardium has two layers: the inner visceral layer and the outer parietal layer, separated by a small amount of fluid that reduces friction during heartbeats.Types of PericarditisPericarditis can be classified into several types based on the duration and nature of the...
637
01:22Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
1.0K
The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
1.0K