TY - JOUR T1 - A Unique Articular Manifestation in a Child with Relapsing Polychondritis JF - The Journal of Rheumatology JO - J Rheumatol SP - 659 LP - 660 DO - 10.3899/jrheum.080672 VL - 36 IS - 3 AU - SHEILA KNUPP FEITOSA de OLIVEIRA AU - ADRIANA RODRIGUES FONSECA AU - ROMEU CORTES DOMINGUES AU - IERECÊ LINS AYMORÉ Y1 - 2009/03/01 UR - http://www.jrheum.org/content/36/3/659.abstract N2 - To the Editor:Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare multisystem disease1 for which the etiopathogenesis is probably autoimmune. RP predominantly affects middle-aged Caucasians1, but it has been reported in 31 children and adolescents under 18 years of age1–3. It is mainly characterized by recurrent destructive inflammatory lesions of cartilaginous structures and proteoglycan-rich tissues1,3 such as outer and inner ears, nose, the laryngotracheobronchial tree, hyaline cartilage of joints, eyes, heart, and blood vessels; kidneys and skin may also be involved. We describe a rare and unique childhood articular manifestation of RP.A 4-year-old girl of African descent was diagnosed with RP after a second episode of left-ear chondritis. Conjunctivitis and arthritis began 14 months later, involving proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints, … Address reprint requests to Dr. S.K.F. de Oliveira, Avenida Sernambetiba, 2940 bloco F apt 202, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil CEP 22620-172. E-mail: sheila_knupp{at}hotmail.com ER -