Relapsing Polychondritis with Acute Respiratory Failure: A Case Report

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare disease characterized by recurrent inflammation and the destruction of the cartilaginous structures. Airway manifestations are ultimately present in about 50% of patients with RP. Airway involvement, especially the large airway, is a dreaded complication of RP. We report a case of acute respiratory failure due to tracheobronchomalacia secondary to RP, which was treated with steroids, a tracheostomy, and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).