Annular eruption preceding relapsing polychondritis : case report and review of the literature

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare multisystem disorder affecting cartilaginous tissues, primarily of the ears, nose, larynx, and trachea. RP shows dermatologic manifestations in 35-50% of cases, and may show skin findings as the first sign of disease in 12% of affected patients. There have been reports of urticarial-like lesions in RP, typically associated with vasculitis, as well as a few reports of erythema multiforme-like lesions. There has also been one previous report of erythema annulare centrifugum associated with RP, presenting with a histology suggestive of a drug eruption. Our patient presented with urticarial and erythema annulare centrifugum-like plaques preceding the diagnosis of RP by over 1 year, with an initial histology suggestive of a drug eruption.