Pinna abscesses: can we manage them better? A case series and review of the literature

Suppurative perichondritis of the pinna is a serious condition with potentially long-term cosmetic sequelae. Literature regarding the optimal treatment of these abscesses is scarce with most case series containing low numbers. This work reports the largest series from the UK to date; along with a review of recent literature. A 10-year retrospective review of case notes was undertaken. Demographic data, interventions and microbiology results were recorded along with outpatient descriptions of cosmetic outcomes. 20 patients were identified with male:female ratio of 4:1. Average patient age was 25.3 years (range 8–65). Average duration of symptoms prior to being seen by the ENT department was 9.95 days with an average length of stay in hospital of 2.5 days. 80 % of patients had a surgical intervention performed. The commonest organism grown on microbiological culture was pseudomonas (33 %). Of patients who attended follow-up, 28.6 % had residual deformity. All of these had undergone surgical drainage of the abscess. Residual deformity was associated with longer time before presentation, piercing of the cartilage and a growth of pseudomonas. Prompt surgical management and appropriate antibiotic regimens to cover pseudomonas are the cornerstones of treatment in the event of pinna abscess formation.