Full Papers
Airway computed tomography features and surgical outcomes in ANCA-associated vasculitis and relapsing polychondritis: a retrospective comparative study
Y. Zhao1, X. Bai2, Z. Wang3
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua Medicine, Tsinghua University, China.
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua Medicine, Tsinghua University, China.
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua Medicine, Tsinghua University, China. 13641339910@163.com
CER20080
Full Papers
PMID: 42814614 [PubMed]
Received: 26/04/2026
Accepted : 02/09/2026
In Press: 21/09/2026
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
Both antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) and relapsing polychondritis (RP) are rare diseases. Distinguishing between the two becomes particularly challenging when airway involvement is the predominant clinical manifestation. We informed to compare airway imaging features and surgical outcomes between AAV and RP.
METHODS:
We retrospectively analysed 56 patients (29 AAV patients and 27 RP patients) with airway involvement who underwent neck and chest thin-section computed tomography (CT). We compared the two groups in terms of clinical manifestations, imaging findings, and surgical outcomes.
RESULTS:
RP patients were younger at onset. In AAV patients, involvement predominantly occurred in the distal bronchi (86%), with parenchymal lung disease being the most frequent manifestation (83%). RP patients more frequently been involved of the subglottic region (89%) and cervical trachea (74%) and tended to have more extensive airway involvement. RP patients more often exhibited airway wall thickening, luminal stenosis, and wall calcification. In addition, among those requiring tracheostomy, successful decannulation after medical treatment was achieved in 86% (6/7) of AAV patients but only 30% (3/10) of RP patients.
CONCLUSIONS:
AAV preferentially involves the distal bronchi, whereas RP predominantly affects the central airways and is frequently associated with persistent structural airway damage. Taken together, this study characterises the clinical and CT imaging features of airway involvement in AAV and RP and may provide preliminary reference for the clinical differentiation and individualised management of airway disease in these two conditions.
