Chronic atrophic perichondritis.

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Abstract
A woman aged 64 yr. had progressive arthritis similar to rheumatoid arthritis together with a mild hemolytic anemia. Later she developed destruction of the cartilage of the external ear, larynx, trachea, bronchi and costochondral portion of the ribs, and also of the articular cartilage of the joints. Severe stenosis of the larynx and total disappearance of cartilage in the trachea and probably the bronchi was found post-mortem. The cartilage was broken up into fragments and was necrotic. It was surrounded by a zone of intense inflammation and was progressively replaced by fibrous scar tissue. This is a rare syndrome; the other reported cases are discussed briefly.