Perichondritis
| Perichondritis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Perichondritis of thepinna | |
| Specialty | Otorhinolaryngology |
| Differential diagnosis | Otitis externa[1] |
Perichondritisis inflammation of theperichondrium,a layer ofconnective tissuewhich surroundscartilage.[2]A common form, auricular perichondritis (perichondritis auriculae) involves infection of thepinnadue to infection of traumatic or surgical wound or the spread of inflammation into depth (e.g. Infected transcartilaginous ear piercings).[3][4]It may lead to severe deformation of the pinna if not treated vigorously with IV antibiotics. The causative organism is usuallyPseudomonas aeruginosa.A rare form is laryngeal perichondritis (perichondritis laryngis). It develops suddenly due to an injury, virulent organisms or compromisedimmune statusof the host, and also affects cartilage of thelarynx.This may result in deformations and stenoses.
Signs and symptoms[edit]
Signs of perichondritis or chondritis in patients with an embedded earring are similar (these include pain, swelling and erythema of the overlying skin) and fluctuant swelling indicate an abscess that we should drain (typically associated with chondritis).[4]Clinically, perichondritis can be differentiated from cellulitis of the pinna, in that the first usually does not involve the earlobe.[4]
In serious cases pus appears between theperichondriumandcartilage.Purulent melting of auricular cartilage takes place. Dead tissue tears away, as a result, auricle deforms strongly and becomes shrunken.[citation needed]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Wolfson, Allan B.; Hendey, Gregory W.; Ling, Louis J.; Rosen, Carlo L. (2009).Harwood-Nuss' Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine.Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. PT428.ISBN978-0-7817-8943-1.
- ^"Perichondritis"atDorland's Medical Dictionary
- ^Medline Plus description of Perichondritis of the outer ear
- ^abcRodríguez, Javier Ignacio; Thöne, Natalie; Duque, Josefina; Brañes, Rocío (2019-05-31)."Infected transcartilaginous ear piercings. A case report and review of the literature".ARS MEDICA Revista de Ciencias Médicas.44(2): 23–25.doi:10.11565/arsmed.v44i2.1550.ISSN0719-1855.