Pediatric Red Ear Syndrome Misdiagnosed as Relapsing Polychondritis: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Red ear syndrome (RES) is a rare clinical entity presenting with paroxysmal erythema of one or both ears associated with a burning sensation or earache. The onset of symptoms could be either spontaneous or triggered by touch, stress, coughing, sneezing, neck movements, chewing, and combing hair. While most cases are usually described in adults, it can rarely present in children. This article reports a case of pediatric RES, first misdiagnosed as relapsing polychondritis. The patient's condition improved after introduction of ibuprofen, isoptin, and amitriptyline, with no new attacks reported after a 1 year follow up.