<unk>  is an immune-mediated chronic disease which involves the cartilaginous structure of different parts of the body, most commonly those of the ears, nose, and laryngotracheobronchial tree. The term<unk>  was first coined by Pearson in 1960. The majority of patients with<unk>  remain asymptomatic for several years. Early clinical features include ear pain, polyarthritis and other non-specific symptoms such as fever, weight loss and skin rash. The pathogenesis of<unk>  is unknown, however several studies have suggested the role of both cellular immunity and abnormal autoantibody in the pathogenesis of<unk> . There are two different criteria to diagnose<unk>  which include Mc Adam criteria and modified Damiani criteria. There are no specific laboratory findings associated with<unk>  but certain antibodies are raised such as anti-type II collagen antibodies and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies. Other abnormal laboratory findings include low haemoglobin, leukocytosis, eosinophilia, increased ESR, CRP, urinary glycosaminoglycans levels and urinary collagen type II neoepitope levels in active inflammation. Imaging such as chest x-ray is helpful to find out tracheal stenosis, however, CT scan is more useful to diagnose subglottic stenosis. MRI is useful to see the difference between edema, fibrosis, and inflammation. The mainstay of therapy for<unk>  is medical therapy. NSAIDs are used as an initial treatment of<unk> . If NSAIDs are contraindicated or resistant, then steroids or dapsone can be used. Prednisone is used in the treatment of relapse. Treatment of life-threatening organ damage include prednisone and cyclophosphamide. Various surgical options include tracheostomy, cardiac valve replacement, aortic aneurysm repair, and saddle-nose deformity repair.
Relapsing polychondritis
Polychondritis
Reactive arthritis
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis
Polymyalgia rheumatica
Rheumatoid arthritis
Behcet's syndrome