Relapsing polychondritis associated with monoclonal gammopathy in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare condition characterized by inflammation and subsequent degeneration of cartilages. Deformity of the pinna, nasal sa ddling and strider due to involvement of the cartilages of the respiratory tract may lead to patients being referred to the otolaryngologist for initi al assessment and further management. Recent observations have suggested th at relapsing polychondritis may occur as a paraneoplastic phenomenon in cas es of myelodysplasia. The case of a patient with relapsing polychondritis, myelodysplastic syndrome and a monoclonal gammopathy is presented. The auth ors highlight the apparent existence of this association and encourage otol aryngologists to consider such possible links when cases of relapsing polyc hondritis present to the outpatients department.