Policondrite recidivante- Studio di un caso.

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare disease, characterized by recurrent episodes of inflammation affecting the cartilaginous tissue. It is an autoimmune disease, mediated by antibodies type II collagen. The most common manifestation is the sudden onset of a tender, erythematous, warm, swollen process of the external ear. Other tissue containing cartilage are also affected, such as joints, trachea, heart, eye and kidney. The diagnosis is established on the basis of clinical features and biopsy. The case of a 63-year-old man, with a seven-month history of painful and swollen redness of the ear, polyarthritis and loss of hearing is presented. A therapy with steroids and FANS led to a remission of clinical features and symptomatology.