Relapsing polychondritis and otologic findings.

Relapsing polychondritis is a cartilage tissue disease characterized by inflammatory and destructive episodes. Elastic cartilage of the ear and nose, hyaline cartilage of the joints, hyaline cartilage of vertebra and trachea are the main involvement areas. Also organs having proteoglycan structure such as eyes, heart, blood vessels, and the inner ear can be affected.