CASE REPORT

A case of relapsing polychondritis with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and perforation of the nasal septum at the onset

Authors

Tokutaro Tsuda¹, Ayako Nakajima¹, Sayumi Baba¹, Kiyoko Tanohara¹, Ikuko Masuda¹, Toru Yamada¹, Kae Takagi¹, Takuya Yamakawa², Naoyuki Kamatani¹ and Masako Hara¹

1. Institute of Rheumatology, Aoyama Hospital, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 2-7-13 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0061, Japan
2. Yamakawa Otorhinolaryngological Clinic, Tokyo, Japan

Received:

28 September 2006

Accepted:

09 November 2006

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Abstract

A 33-year-old woman suffered from epistaxis and perforation of the nasal septum. Based on a biopsy of nasal mucosa, Wegener's granulomatosis was suspected initially. Her nasal symptoms improved spontaneously, but tinnitus, hearing loss, and dizziness appeared within 3 months. Laboratory analyses revealed no inflammation, and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies were negative. Audiometry revealed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. A second biopsy of the nasal septum showed an inflammatory change in the cartilage. Thus we diagnosed early-stage relapsing polychondritis.

Key words

Perforation of nasal septum - Polychondritis - Sensorineural hearing loss