Contents

SynopsisCodesLook ForDiagnostic PearlsDifferential Diagnosis & PitfallsBest TestsManagement PearlsTherapyReferences

View all Images (7)

Perichondritis
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Perichondritis

Contributors: Casey Silver MD, Benjamin L. Mazer MD, MBA, Michael W. Winter MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Perichondritis is an infection of the soft tissue that encloses the auricular (ear) cartilage. It typically presents with erythema, edema, and tenderness in the pinna of the ear. Infection is usually bacterial, introduced through local trauma (ie, piercing) or burns. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are the bacteria most commonly implicated, and polymicrobial infection is common. Immunocompromised patients are at increased risk for perichondritis. Perichondritis can be the presenting infection of human immunodeficiency virus, lymphoma, and, in some instances, diabetes mellitus.

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare noninfectious disorder that mimics perichondritis.

Perichondritis is treated with systemic antibiotics that include both pseudomonal and staphylococcal coverage. If untreated, infection may spread into the deeper cartilage of the ear (chondritis), causing more significant injury.

Codes

ICD10CM:
H61.009 – Unspecified perichondritis of external ear, unspecified ear

SNOMEDCT:
37600001 – Perichondritis

Look For

Subscription Required

Diagnostic Pearls

Subscription Required

Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

To perform a comparison, select diagnoses from the classic differential

Subscription Required

Best Tests

Subscription Required

Management Pearls

Subscription Required

Therapy

Subscription Required

References

Subscription Required

Last Reviewed:03/28/2019
Last Updated:03/28/2019
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.
Perichondritis
A medical illustration showing key findings of Perichondritis : Edema, Erythema, Helical rim of ear, Tragus of ear
Clinical image of Perichondritis - imageId=7407461. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'Marked swelling and deformity of the cartilage of the ear.'
Marked swelling and deformity of the cartilage of the ear.
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.