Relapsing polychondritis. A feature of systemic lupus erythematosus.

In summary, we have presented two well documented cases of SLE with relapsing polychondritis. The chondritis was not a presenting feature and had no obvious prognostic significance. Neither patient has developed any further manifestations of relapsing polychondritis. A local immune complex etiology may be suggested by the laboratory findings. Treatment with corticosteroids was associated with the resolution of inflammation within a few days. Relapsing polychondritis should be recognized as an uncommon feature of SLE.