Relapsing Polychondritis Presenting with Meningoencephalitis and Dementia: Correlation with Neuroimaging and Clinical Features.

PURPOSE: Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare systemic autoimmune disease affecting cartilaginous and non-cartilaginous structures. Neurological involvement is rarer but results in profound disability. Early identification and treatment of underlying RP may promote neurological recovery. CASE REPORT: We illustrated a 53-year-old man diagnosed with dementia. Neuroimaging and cerebrospinal fluid studies disclosed meningoencephalitis. "Prominent ear sign" was evident on diffusion-weight magnetic resonance imaging. After glucocortisone administration, the improvement of clinical manifestations was closely correlated subsequent neuroimaging findings. CONCLUSION: The importance of better understanding of this disease in terms of the prevention of further tissue damage in patients with RP cannot be overemphasized.