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Piercing associated perichondritis of the pinna: are we treating it correctly?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2013

Z W Liu  and
P Chokkalingam
Z W Liu*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Colchester General Hospital, UK
P Chokkalingam
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Colchester General Hospital, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Z W Liu, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Essex County Hospital, Lexden Rd, Colchester CO3 3NB, UK E-mail: zwl20cam@gmail.com
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Abstract

Objective:

This paper reports a series of patients with sporadic pinna perichondritis who presented to a district general hospital over a period of 10 years. The data examined included the causative organism, risk factors and pattern of antibiotic use.

Method:

A retrospective analysis of diagnosed cases of pinna perichondritis from 2001 to 2012 was performed. A literature review of pinna perichondritis was carried out using Pubmed with the key words ‘pinna perichondritis’, ‘pinna abscess’, ‘pinna infection’ and ‘piercing’.

Results:

Pinna perichondritis was more likely to result from chondral than lobe piercings. The majority of cases were caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Conclusion:

Most patients were not prescribed anti-pseudomonal antibiotics on presentation. This may result in persistent infection and long-term cosmetic defects.

Keywords

Auricular CartilageEar PiercingPseudomonas AeruginosaTreatment
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 127 , Issue 5 , May 2013 , pp. 505 - 508
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2013 

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