Cartilaginous manifestations of systemic vasculitides, including granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and relapsing polychondritis, frequently pose management challenges for rheumatologists. On Monday, two experts on the latest diagnostic and management strategies for these conditions will share their insights during a Clinical and Translational Research session.
Are Your Ears Burning? Cartilaginous Inflammation in Relapsing Polychondritis & Limited GPA will take place from 2:30 — 3:30 pm in Thomas Murphy Ballroom 1-2, Building B of the Georgia World Congress Center. The session will include perspectives from an ear, nose, and throat specialist and a rheumatologist as they explore surgical and medical approaches to these issues — and discuss when a multidisciplinary approach is needed.
Alexander T. Hillel, MD, FACS, Associate Professor and Residency Program Director in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, will begin with a look at interventions to treat cartilaginous inflammation in GPA and relapsing polychondritis.
“Granulomatosis with polyangiitis and relapsing polychondritis are tough diseases to treat, especially when they involve the cartilage,” Dr. Hillel said. “The goal of this session is to review the diagnostic and surgical management of cartilaginous inflammation and damage.”
One key is ENTs and rheumatologists working together.
“Collaboration is imperative to providing the best care for the patient,” he said.
Dr. Hillel said that following his talk attendees should be able to recognize current diagnostic techniques for evaluating tracheal inflammation and interventions for treating it. Attendees should also be able to recognize when a multidisciplinary approach is warranted.
Next, Philip Seo, MD, MHS, Director of the Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center and Associate Professor of Medicine at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, will review strategies to diagnose tracheal and cartilaginous inflammation in GPA and relapsing polychondritis from a rheumatology perspective.
Dr. Seo, who specializes in the medical management of cartilaginous inflammation in these conditions, will describe the appropriate medical management and will review effective strategies to co-manage cartilaginous inflammation with ENT colleagues.