[Relapsing polychondritis with mental disorders: a case report]

A 60-year-old man developed disorientation, euphoria, hyperactive behavior, mental confusion, and a moderate decrease of cognition during the course of relapsing polychondritis with bilateral auricular chondritis, sensorineural hearing loss, episcleritis and nasal chondritis. An electroencephalogram showed diffuse slow wave abnormality. The CSF analysis revealed pleocytosis and increased protein. MRI with contrast showed enhancement and edema in bilateral medial temporal regions. These abnormal findings improved markedly with the treatment of corticosteroids. This is the first Japanese case report of relapsing polychondritis presenting as mental disorders.