A case of stridor due to subglottic stenosis resulting from relapsing polychondritis in a young woman

Abstract

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare and severe progressive, multisystem autoimmune disease that affects cartilaginous tissues predominantly of the ear, nose, respiratory system and joints. The rarity of the disease, its unknown aetiology, the array of many possible presenting symptoms, lack of specific investigation for diagnosis and episodic nature, often cause a significant delay in diagnosis. We report a case of a young woman presenting with stridor due to subglottic stenosis of the trachea. In this case, identification of symptoms associated with the stridor facilitated the diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis and initiation of appropriate treatment.