Meningeal plasma cell granuloma with relapsing polychondritis

Abstract

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare systemic disease characterized by recurrent inflammation of the cartilaginous structures and connective tissue. Central nervous system lesions in association with RP have occasionally been reported, but intracranial mass lesions have not been described. The authors report the first such case, in which a 51-year-old man presented with parasagittal meningeal plasma cell granuloma with RP. The mass was subtotally resected and adjuvant radiotherapy was administered. The patient did not experience any recurrence of the lesion during an 8-year follow-up period. In this case, the exact diagnosis of RP was made based on symptoms of respiratory tract chondritis, which was successfully treated by the placement of tracheobronchial stents.