Relapsing polychondritis
ICD-10 M94.1 · ICD-11 FB82.3

Treatment of Relapsing Polychondritis with Nasal Chondritis or Auricular Chondritis

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare episodic inflammatory disorder targeting cartilaginous tissues. When it manifests as nasal chondritis or auricular chondritis, recognising the specific clinical picture and applying a structured treatment approach is essential to controlling the flare.

Clinical Scenario

Auricular chondritis — inflammatory changes to the cartilage of the outer ear, characteristically involving the helix while sparing the lobule — is one of the main presentations of this condition. Nasal chondritis presents with pain, sometimes intense, localised to the root of the nose at the junction between the nasal bone and the nasal cartilage.

Treatment Approach

Management of this presentation involves anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents, with systemic corticosteroids considered in short courses when the inflammatory episode warrants it. The complete regimen — including agent selection, course structure, and tapering approach — is set out in the full protocol.

Instant Access to Structured Evidence-Based Regimens

References

DOI: 10.1016/j.revmed.2023.05.005

  1. Although not pathognomonic, chondritis of the ears is one of the main manifestations of the disease and consists of inflammatory changes to the cartilage of the ears (most often the helix); the inflammation thus avoids the lobule, which has no cartilage.
  2. Nasal chondritis is usually characterised by pain, sometimes intense, at the root of the nose (junction between the nasal bone and the nasal cartilage).
  3. Relapses are treated with NSAIDs and painkillers, or more frequently with systemic corticosteroids in short courses.
View source ↗