Perichondritis

Perichondritis is inflammation of the perichondrium, a layer of connective tissue which surrounds cartilage.[1] A common form, auricular perichondritis (perichondritis auriculae) involves infection of the pinna due to infection of traumatic or surgical wound or the spread of inflammation into depth.[2] It may lead to severe deformation of the pinna if not treated vigorously with IV antibiotics. The causative organism is usually Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A rare form is laryngeal perichondritis (perichondritis laryngis). It develops suddenly due to an injury, virulent organisms or compromised immune status of the host, and also affects cartilage of the larynx. This may result in deformations and stenoses.

Perichondritis
Perichondritis of the pinna
SpecialtyNeurology 

Presentation

Intense pain in auricle. Auricles become red and thick. Body temperature rises. In serious cases pus appears between the perichondrium and cartillage. Purulent melting of auricular cartilage takes place. Dead tissue tears away, as a result auricle deforms strongly and becomes shrunken.

See also

References
  1. "Perichondritis" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
  2. Medline Plus description of Perichondritis of the outer ear
Classification
External resources
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