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Perichondritis - Overview

Definition of Perichondritis:

Perichondritis is an infection of the skin and tissue surrounding the cartilage of the outer ear.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Cartilage is the thick tissue that creates the shape of the nose and the outer ear. All cartilage has a thin layer of tissue around it called the perichondrium. This covering helps provide nutrients to the cartilage.

The most common bacteria that causes perichondritis infection is Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Perichondritis is usually caused by injury to the ear due to ear surgery, ear piercing (especially piercing of the cartilage), or contact sports. Ear piercing through the cartilage is probably the most significant risk factor today. Surgery, burns, and acupuncture also increase the risk of infection.

Perichondritis can cause severe damage to the ear structure if it becomes chondritis -- infection of the cartilage itself.

Reviewed last on: 9/28/2008
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Ruckenstein MJ. Infections of the external ear. In: Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, Robbins KT, Thomas JR, eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2005: chap 132.

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