How common is perichondritis?
Not uncommon by any stretch (it affects hundreds of thousands of patients each year), perichondritis may be under-recognized in fast-paced emergency departments. Perichondritis is an infection of the connective tissue of the ear that covers the cartilaginous auricle or pinna, excluding the lobule.
How do you drain perichondritis?
Treatment of Perichondritis If people have an abscess (collection of pus), doctors make an incision to drain the pus, allowing blood to reach the cartilage again, and leave a small drain in place for 24 to 72 hours. Antibiotics are given by mouth. Warm compresses may also help.
How do you get perichondritis?
Perichondritis is an infection of the skin and tissue surrounding the cartilage of the outer ear. Perichondritis is usually caused by injury to the ear as a result of: ear piercing. sports injury.
What is perichondritis and how is it treated?
Perichondritis is a bacterial infection. Ear trauma, most commonly high ear cartilage piercing, is the usual cause. Treatment typically includes antibiotics. Untreated perichondritis can lead to serious complications. Questions 216.444.2538
How is perichondritis managed in patients with malignant otitis externa?
Six patients with perichondritis secondary to malignant otitis externa were managed by wound debridement via a post-auricular approach; all had minor residual deformities. Conclusions: Perichondritis can be divided into two groups, depending on cartilage loss and on the presence or absence of malignant otitis externa.
What causes perichondritis of the ear?
Perichondritis of the ear can be a diffuse inflammatory, but not necessarily infectious, process resulting in diffuse swelling, redness, and pain of the pinna, or an abscess between the cartilage and the perichondrium. Causes of perichondritis include. Trauma. Insect bites.
How do you treat a torn perichondrium cartilage?
Treatment. Antibiotics are given by mouth. Warm compresses may also help. Doctors may stitch (suture) the perichondrium to the cartilage to ensure that it heals correctly to avoid a deformity of the auricle.