CTICasesRelapsing Polychondritis
Imaging findings
CT of the neck and chest demonstrates diffuse narrowing of the trachea and main bronchi. The narrowing specifically spares the posterior membranous wall of the trachea, with thickening confined to the anterior and lateral cartilaginous rings. Sparing of the posterior membrane is also nicely illustrated.
Key takeaways
Relapsing polychondritis is a rare systemic autoimmune vasculopathy characterized by recurrent inflammation and progressive destruction of cartilaginous structures. On chest CT, the pathognomonic finding is diffuse airway wall thickening and narrowing that strictly spares the posterior membranous trachea, as it lacks cartilage.
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