[Airway manifestations of relapsing polychondritis: treatment with cyclophosphamide and placement of bronchial stents]

Z Rheumatol. 2003 Feb;62(1):73-9. doi: 10.1007/s00393-003-0419-9.
[Article in German]

Abstract

We report the case of a 41-year-old female patient with relapsing polychondritis and severe respiratory involvement. The patient presented with acute respiratory failure requiring endotracheal intubation. Bronchoscopy revealed tracheal collapse and inflammatory stenoses with dynamic collapse of the major airways. We describe a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach, consisting of immunosuppressive treatment, bronchoscopic placement of self-expandable stents into the collapsing bronchi, and tracheotomy. In addition, we report the effectiveness of oral cyclophosphamide for treatment of relapsing polychondritis with severe respiratory involvement after failure of other immunosuppressive agents. The problem of severe respiratory complications in patients with relapsing polychondritis and the need for a multidisciplinary approach is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Airway Obstruction / diagnostic imaging
  • Airway Obstruction / drug therapy*
  • Bronchoscopy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Patient Care Team
  • Polychondritis, Relapsing / diagnostic imaging
  • Polychondritis, Relapsing / drug therapy*
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / diagnostic imaging
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / drug therapy*
  • Stents*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Tracheal Stenosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Tracheal Stenosis / drug therapy*
  • Tracheotomy

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclophosphamide