Perichondritis

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Treatment consists of antibiotics, either by mouth or directly into the blood stream through an intravenous line (IV). If there is a trapped collection of pus, surgery may be necessary to drain this fluid and remove any dead skin and cartilage.

If the diagnosis is made rapidly and antibiotics are started, full recovery is expected. In more advanced cases, when the infection involves the ear cartilage (chondritis), part of the ear may die and need to be surgically removed. This may result in the need for plastic surgery to restore the ear to its normal shape.

The main complication is extension of the infection into the cartilage of the ear, which would require removal of the damaged part and possibly cosmetic surgery to restore it.

If you suffer any trauma to your ear (a scratch, blow, or piercing) followed by the development of pain and redness over the stiff part of the ear, contact your health care provider for evaluation. You may need antibiotic treatment.

Review Date: 07/14/2006
Reviewed By: J.A. Lee, M.D., Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.