Relapsing Polychondritis with Acute Respiratory Failure--A Case Report

　　　　　復發性多軟骨炎是一種少見的疾病，它常會反覆地軟發炎並致使軟骨破壞。大約有百分之五十的病人會有呼吸道表微，一旦影響到大型呼吸道常會有危及生命的併發症。我們報導一位女性病患因後發性多軟骨炎導致氣管支氣管軟化，而使用類固醇、氣管切開術和持續呼吸道正壓治療。
　　　　　 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 tracheostormy, and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).