[Relapsing polychondritis with atypical presentation]

Relapsing polychondritis is an episodic systemic disorder, characterized by recurrent inflammation that affects cartilaginous structures, the cardiovascular system, eyes and ears. Although the etiology is unknown, experimental evidence strongly suggest that immunologically mediated mechanisms are implicated. Auricular, articular and nasal manifestations are the most frequent disturbances. In about 30% of cases, relapsing polychondritis is associated with other connective tissue diseases and vasculitis. Actually, the diagnosis is based on the criteria proposed by McAdam, and modified by Damiani. We present a case, whose first manifestations of relapsing polychondritis were an intermittent fever and transient arthralgias. Eight months later, auricular chondritis appeared, and gave us the key to diagnosis.