Exophthalmos in Relapsing Polychondritis

To the Editor.— Exophthalmos is a rare symptom in relapsing polychondritis (RP). Only four cases have been reported and, in at least three of those cases, it was a temporary occurrence. This is a case study of a patient with RP in whom a severe unilateral exophthalmos persisted for five years. Report of a Case.— In 1973, a 72-year-old woman had a profuse epistaxis, accompanied by swelling and tenderness of the nasal and auricular cartilage. A few days later, a proptosis of the right eye became evident. This acute phase subsided in a couple of weeks, but the exophthalmos remained almost unchanged. Over the next few months, several analogous episodes occurred during which a gelatinous material was observed to exude from the nose. Eventually, the nose and helix were progressively flattened. A painful rheumatoid-like arthritis, anorexia, weakness, and dysphonia were also noted. In 1976, physical examination indicated a flattened nose,