Relapsing polychondritis is a rare and multi-system
autoimmune disease of unknown etiology characterized by
inflammation and destruction of cartilaginous structures. Its clinical manifestations include recurrent chondritis of the ears, nose, pinna, peripheral joints, and laryngotracheobronchial tree and can be life-threatening in advanced cases of laryngotracheal
stenosis. Because of the rarity of
relapsing polychondritis and lack of understanding of its pathogenesis, there is no standard medical
therapy, and treatment is tailored according to disease activity and site of organ involvement. In
respiratory failure due to laryngotracheal involvement, which has been reported in up to 50% of
relapsing polychondritis patients and is a major cause of death, immediate procedures such as stenting and
tracheostomy are very important. This report describes a 70-year-old male patient suffering from
tracheobronchomalacia due to
relapsing polychondritis who was treated with Montgomery T-tube insertion.