The diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis is usually made based on clinical, serological and radiological findings. In some cases histology may be helpful in ruling in or ruling out the diagnosis.
Site to biopsy: affected cartilage
Best time to biopsy: during an inactive period
Histologic features in chondrocytes:
(1) loss of basophilic staining
(2) cytoplasmic vacuoles (due to the accumulation of lysosomes and lipids)
(3) other degenerative changes
(4) necrosis
Other histologic features:
(4) replacement of cartilage with fibrous tissue
(5) perivascular inflammation
Confidence in a histologic diagnosis increases if other causes of chondritis have been excluded.
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