In vitro maturation is letting ovarian follicles mature in vitro, and this technique can potentially be an alternative both to anovulation reversal and oocyte release triggering. Rather, oocytes can mature outside the body, such as prior to IVF. Hence, no (or at least a lower dose of) gonadotropins have to be injected in the body. However, there still isnt enough evidence to prove the effectiveness and security of the technique. == References ==
Pulmonary function tests (flow-volume loops) provide a useful noninvasive means of quantifying and following the degree of extrathoracic airway obstruction in relapsing polychondritis. Differential diagnosis
A differential diagnosis should be taken into account with the following main RP manifestations. Treatment
There are no prospective randomized controlled trials studying therapies for relapsing polychondritis. Evidence for efficacy of treatments is based on many case reports and series of small groups of patients. There are case reports that non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are effective for mild disease and that corticosteroids are effective for treatment of severe relapsing polychondritis. There are multiple case reports that dapsone is effective in doses from 25 mg/day to 200 mg/day. Corticosteroid-sparing medications such as azathioprine or methotrexate may be used to minimize steroid doses and limit the side effects of steroids. For severe disease cyclophosphamide is often given in addition to high dose intravenous steroids. Prognosis
Many individuals have mild symptoms, which recur infrequently, while others may have persistent problems that become debilitating or life-threatening. Epidemiology
Relapsing polychondritis occurs as often in men as in women. In a Mayo Clinic series, the annual incidence was about 3.5 cases per million. The highest incidence is between the ages of 40 and 50 years, but it may occur at any age. History
In 1923, Rudolf Jaksch von Wartenhorst first discovered relapsing polychondritis while working in Prague and initially named it Polychondropathia. His patient was a 32-year-old male brewer who presented with fever, asymmetric polyarthritis, and the ears and nose showed signs of swelling, deformity and were painful.