ABSTRACT
The perichondritis correctly refers to infection or inflammation involving the perichondrium of the external ear: auricle and external auditory canal. However, it is commonly used to describe a continuum of conditions of the external ear, from erysipelas, through cellulitis and true perichondritis to chondritis. Prasad et al. suggests a simple and logical staging of perichondritis/chondritis as: early perichondritis without fluctuant abscess, perichondritis with fluctuant abscess, and perichondritis with fluctuant abscess and cartilage destruction. If untreated, a subperichondrial abscess may develop, leading to avascular necrosis of the underlying cartilage and marked deformity of the pinna. The infection may spread to the cartilage itself. Rare reported complications of perichondritis include fatal septicaemia secondary to streptococcal infection, subacute bacterial endocarditis and necrotizing fasciitis of the neck. Acute perichondritis should be prevented by careful placement of ear piercings away from the cartilaginous pinna. Surgery in and around the ear should avoid trauma to cartilage and tight head bandages.
