Is biopsy of an affected area necessary for diagnosis of Relapsing Polychondritis?
Current criteria do not require a biopsy for the confirmation of diagnosis. In addition, characteristic findings may be found in only 60% of obtained specimens.
A biopsy is useful in situations where the clinical diagnosis is uncertain: lack of multiple sites of targeted cartilage involvement (bilateral ear disease is commonly considered a second site of involvement), failure to respond to prednisone and/or dapsone, or features concerning for an alternative diagnosis or associated condition.
The tissue should be sent for routine histology as well as stains and cultures for mycobacteria and fungal organisms.
