Perichondritis Of The Ear

Perichondritis of the ear
Other names: Pinna perichondritis, auricular perichondritis, perichondritis auriculae
Perichondritis of the pinna
Pronunciation	pɛrɪkɒnˈdrʌɪtɪs[1]
Specialty	Otorhinolaryngology
Symptoms	Pain, redness, and swelling of the outer ear[2]
Complications	Cauliflower ear[3]
Risk factors	Ear piercing, external ear infections, poor immune function, granulomatosis with polyangiitis[3][2]
Diagnostic method	Based on symptoms[3]
Differential diagnosis	Otitis externa,[4] cellulitis, relapsing polychondritis, eczema[3]
Treatment	Pain medication, antibiotics, corticosteroids, removal of ear piercings, incision and drainage[2]
Frequency	Uncommon[3]

Perichondritis of the ear is a type of infection of the outer ear (auricle), specifically the pinna.^[3] It typically results in pain, redness, and swelling.^[2] Other symptoms may include fever.^[2] The earlobe is generally spared.^[3] Complications may include a permanent deformity of the ear, known as cauliflower ear.^[3]

The most common risk factor is injury to the pinna, such as from high ear piercing.^[3] Other risk factors include external ear infections, poor immune function, and granulomatosis with polyangiitis.^[3][2] The infection most commonly involves Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staph aureus.^[3] The underlying mechanism involves inflammation of the perichondrium, the layer surrounding the cartilage of the ear.^[3] Diagnosis is based on symptoms.^[3]

Treatment includes pain medication, antibiotics, corticosteroids, and removal of ear piercings.^[2] Commonly used antibiotics include ciprofloxacin.^[3] If an abscess is present this should be drained.^[2] With treatment, symptoms should improve in about 3 days, though some discomfort may remain for up to 4 weeks.^[3]

Perichondritis of the ear is uncommon.^[3] Rates doubled in England between 1990 and 2000 which is believed to be due to an increase is ear piercing.^[3] The term come into the English language in the mid 1800s; from the Greek "peri" meaning "around", "chondros" meaning "cartilage", and "itis" meaning "inflammation".^[1][5]

Signs and symptoms[edit | edit source]

Signs of perichondritis or chondritis in people with an embedded earring are similar (these include pain, swelling and erythema of the overlying skin) and fluctuant swelling indicate an abscess that should be drained (typically associated with chondritis).^[6] Perichondritis can be differentiated from cellulitis of the pinna, in that the first usually does not involve the earlobe.^[6]

In serious cases pus appears between the perichondrium and cartilage. Purulent melting of auricular cartilage takes place. Dead tissue tears away, as a result, auricle deforms and becomes shrunken.

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Perichondritis is within a continuum of disease, with erysipelas and cellulitis being less severe, and chondritis being more severe.^[7]

References[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]