Respiratory obstruction due to relapsing polychondritis in a Chinese male

A case of relapsing polychondritis in a 30-year-old Chinese male is reported. The patient showed the following features: dyspnoea; hoarseness of voice; cauliflower deformity of the right ear; upper tracheal stenosis; swelling of the lower part of the sternum; pain in the costal cartilages. Airway obstruction as a presenting feature (as in this case) is unusual. The aetiology, clinical features and management of relapsing polychondritis are briefly discussed.