Use of inhaled fluticasone propionate to control respiratory manifestations of relapsing polychondritis.

Effective management of respiratory tract involvement is very important in improving the prognosis of relapsing polychondritis (RPC). This case report describes a 19-year-old patient with RPC, who required frequent hospitalization due to recurrent exacerbations of airway obstruction. Use of high-dose fluticasone propionate effectively reduced the amount of oral corticosteroid necessary to control inflammation of the airway mucosa and dramatically decreased the patient's obstructive airway impairment. This report is the first illustrating the effectiveness and safety of inhaled corticosteroids in the control of the respiratory manifestations of RPC.