Early chondromalacia patellae is initiated by malalignment in the extensor machaniam and abno-rmal patellofemoral tracking. It is well known that chondromalacia often occurs in recurrent pateIlar subluxation. In the 50 normal and 60 pathologic knees, the following five parameters were studied; 1) Q angle 2) PT ratio by Insall & Salvati method 3) AB ratio dy Blackburne & Peel method 4) sulcus angle 5) congruence angle. The following conclusions were made. l. In 50 normal asymptomatic knees, the average Q angle was 14°. The patellar length was equal to the patellar ligament length and the average congruence angle was −8°. In 40 knees with “Chondromalacia”, the Q angle was increaed (19.5°), and the average congruence angle was −2°. 3. In 20 knees with recurrent subaxation, the patellar was high riding (PT ratio, 0.89), the sulcus angle was shallow (145.1°), and the average congruence angle was +4.35°.
Cartilage Diseases ; Chondromalacia Patellae ; Knee ; Methods ; Patella ; Patellar Ligament

POLYCHONDRITIS ; RELAPSING CARTILAGE DISEASES MUSCULOSKELETAL DISEASES

The patella is one of the most important components of the knee extension mechanism, and position of patella relates to some diseases of the knee, especially recurrent dislocation of the patella and Osgood-Schlatter s diseases. We checked the patella to patella tendon ratio in normal persons as well as in cases with recurrent dislocation of patella, chondromalacia of patella, degenerative arthritis of the knee and Osgood Schlatter s disease by means of Insall and Salvati method. The following results were obtained: 1) The ratio was 1.048 in normal persons. 2) The ratio was 0. 845 in recurrent dislocations. 3) The ratio was the same as normal in cases of the acute stage of Osgood-Schlatter's disease but chenged to 1. 236 in the late healing stage after 18 years of age. 4) The ratio in chondromalacia of the patella and degenerative arthritis of the knee was not significantly different from the normal.
Cartilage Diseases ; Chondromalacia Patellae ; Clinical Study ; Dislocations ; Humans ; Knee ; Methods ; Osteoarthritis ; Patella ; Patellar Ligament

Among previously proposed etiological factors of chondromalacia patellae, abnormality in the extensor mechanism of the knee joint has been attributed as a cause of chondromalacia patellae by many authors Malalignment in the extensor mechanism of the knee joint is supposed to cause the positional change of patella. This positional change of patella can be measured by Q angle and P/PT ratio. Hereby we intened to classify the relationahip between the above measurement lenoting the positional change of patella and chondromalacia patellae. These values were obtained from 60 patients found to have chondromalacia patellae in Han Gang Sacred Heart Hospital, from Jan. 1977 to Sep. 1978. Values were also obtained from 60 normal persons as a control group. Thus a statistical analysis was made for the possible relationship between extensor mechanism of the knee joint and chondromalacia patellae. The following conclusion were made, 1. The sex ratio was 1:1.3 with female preponderance. There was 26 male and 34 female patients, common age group of chondromalacia patellae was age 20-40 years. 2. The average value of Q angle was 11 in control group, while 18 in chondromalacia patellae, having the difference of 7. 3. The average values of Q angle among different sexes were reviewed. The male control group had 9 of average value of Q angle, while male chondromalacia patellae had 16. The female control group had 12 of average value of Q angle, while female chondromalacia patellae had 20. 4. The average value of P/PT ratio was 1.03 in control group, while 0.9 in chondromalacia patellae, having the difference 0.13. For P/PT ratio in different sexes, the average value was 1.01 in male control group. while 0.9 in male chondromalacia patellae. The average value of P/PT ratio was 1.04 in female control group, while 0.89 in female chondromalacia patellae, 5. For statistical survey for these differences, P value was examined by t-test methods. The statistical diffrences of Q angle in male control group and chondromalacia patellae was 3.4 and it was 2.06 in he female. The difference between control group and the chondromalacia patellae in the overall seves was 2.61, thus having statistical significance.
Cartilage Diseases ; Chondromalacia Patellae ; Female ; Heart ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Knee ; Male ; Patella ; Sex Ratio

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare rheumatologic disorder most commonly presenting as recurring episodes of inflammation in cartilaginous tissues. Auricular chondritis with red ears resembling cellulitisis the most common clinical manifestation. Other manifestations include arthritis, nasal chondritis, and ocular, pulmonary, and cardiovascular disease. Here we report the case of a 54-year-old female patient with relapsing polychondritis and associated scleritis. On histologic examination, the auricle, including cartilaginous tissues, showed loss of the normal basophilia of cartilage and perichondrial infiltration of inflammatory cells. The patient was treated with systemic steroids. Symptoms in both auricles were reduced, scleritis developed, and ocular symptoms were waning.
Arthritis ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cartilage ; Ear ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Middle Aged ; Polychondritis, Relapsing ; Scleritis ; Steroids

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare autoimmune disease involving the cartilaginous structures of the whole body. Its diagnosis can be difficult when the typical clinical features such as auricular chondritis are absent. Here, we report on a case of a 51-year-old female who presented with cough, dyspnea, and polyarthritis. Chest computed tomography showed the diffuse involvement of tracheobronchial cartilage. According to Damiani's criteria, she was diagnosed as relapsing polychondritis even though there was no unique involvement of auricular cartilage, and high dose steroid and immunosuppressive therapy were then started. This case indicated that patients who have tracheobronchial cartilage involvement without definite auricular chondritis should be considered for relapsing polychondritis as a differential diagnosis.
Arthritis ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Cartilage ; Cough ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dyspnea ; Ear Cartilage ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Polychondritis, Relapsing* ; Thorax

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare disease of unknown etiology. The disease is an immune disorder probably caused by autoimmunity. The characteristics are episodic with progressive inflammation of the cartilages of the body, most often of the ears, nose, costochondral junctions, joints, airway and cardiovascular system. Authors have recently experienced a case of relapsing polychondritis in a 28 year old man who had recurrent chondritis of both auricles. He did not have other involvement. The pathologic finding to the diagnosis was presented. We report this case with a review of the literature.
Adult ; Autoimmunity ; Cardiovascular System ; Cartilage ; Diagnosis ; Ear ; Humans ; Immune System Diseases ; Inflammation ; Joints ; Nose ; Polychondritis, Relapsing* ; Rare Diseases

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare multisystem rheumatic disease,characterized by recurrent and potentially destructive inflammatory lesions of cartilaginous structures.All types of cartilage & other proteoglycan-rich structures may be involved,resulting in auricular chondritis,laryngotracheal chondritis,ocular symptoms,vasculitis,cardiac abnormalities,skin lesions and glomerulonephritis. The disease may be associated with another connective tissue and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis,systemic lupus erythematosus,Sjogren's syndrome and systemic vasculitis. We experienced a 69-year-old female patient who had been previously diagnosed as Sjogren's syndrome,presenting respiratory tract involvement,episcleritis,auricular chondritis and vestibular dysfunction.
Aged ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Cartilage ; Connective Tissue ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis ; Humans ; Polychondritis, Relapsing* ; Respiratory System ; Sjogren's Syndrome* ; Systemic Vasculitis

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare autoimmune disease that is characterized by inflammatory reaction of unknown etiology and destruction of cartilaginous structures. Characteristic symptoms of this disease include cartilage inflammation of the ear, nose, larynx, trachea, bronchi, joints, eyes, heart and skin. Concomitance with neurologic symptom is very rare in RP, and the detailed underlying mechanism of neurological involvement associated with RP is not fully understood. We herein described an unusual recurrent case of inflammatory brain lesions associated with RP, with attention to clinical manifestations, autoimmune disease involvement, and therapeutic effects.
Atrophy* ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Brain* ; Bronchi ; Cartilage ; Ear ; Encephalitis* ; Heart ; Inflammation ; Joints ; Larynx ; Multiple Sclerosis ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Neuromyelitis Optica ; Nose ; Polychondritis, Relapsing* ; Skin ; Therapeutic Uses ; Trachea

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare, multisystem autoimmune disease. It is characterized by recurrent inflammation of the cartilage and connective tissues in the body. In this paper, we described a case of relapsing polychondritis initially presented symptoms of cognitive dysfunction and personality changes. A 63-year-old male reprented fever, cognitive impairment and personality changes. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed leptomeningeal and periauricular hyperintensities. A cerebrospinal fluid examination showed aseptic meningitis. As he reprented hearing difficulties, audiometry showed the sensory neural hearing loss. On physical examination, erythematous swollen auricles were noted. Auricle biopsy consisted with inflammation with perichondritis. He was diagnosed with relapsing polychondritis accompanied by leptomeningeal meningitis, and treated with methylprednisolone (62.5 mg/day for 3 days) followed by prednisolone 60 mg/day and methotrexate 7.5 mg/week. Fever and painful swellings on the both ears subsided. He showed improvement in cognitive function and personality. Although relapsing polychondritis is rare, it should be considered to be a possible cause of leptomeningeal meningitis.
Audiometry ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Biopsy ; Brain ; Cartilage ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Cognition ; Cognition Disorders* ; Connective Tissue ; Ear ; Fever ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Meningitis ; Meningitis, Aseptic ; Methotrexate ; Methylprednisolone ; Middle Aged ; Physical Examination ; Polychondritis, Relapsing* ; Prednisolone