Description

Contributor: Nick Tsipis, MD

Educational Pearls:

• Perichondritis involves infection of not only the connective tissue of the ear but typically the cartilage as well
• Symptoms include erythema, ear pain, and fevers
• The most common bacterial cause is Pseudomonas.
• Perichondritis often occurs after a wound or piercing, but trauma is not necessary for the infection to occur
• Anti-pseudomonal coverage is essential with typically oral agents for milder disease and IV antibiotics for severe infections
• Can have devastating outcomes if not treated aggressively and/or treated early due to poor blood supply to the cartilage of the ear

References

Prasad HK, Sreedharan S, Prasad HS, Meyyappan MH, Harsha KS. Perichondritis of the auricle and its management. J Laryngol Otol. 2007 Jun;121(6):530-4. doi: 10.1017/S0022215107005877. Epub 2007 Feb 26. PMID: 17319983.

Summarized by Jackson Roos, MS4 | Edited by Erik Verzemnieks, MD

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