An infection of the connective tissue of the ear that covers the auricle or pinna
Misnomer as the cartilage is almost always involved with abscess formation and cavitation
Typically does not involve the lobule since this contains no cartilage
May be a devastating disease if improperly treated
Can lead to liquefying chondritis
Most common causes include minor trauma, burns, and ear piercing
Growing incidence may be related rising popularity of high chondral ear piercings
May be a presenting symptom of immunosuppression
HIV, diabetes, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, or relapsing polychondritis
The most common microorganism responsible for<unk>  is Pseudomonas aeruginosa
One study identified Pseudomonas as the causative organism in 95% of cases
Co-infection with E. coli in half of cases
Staph Aureus in 7% of patients
Misnomer as the cartilage is almost always involved with abscess formation and cavitation
Typically does not involve the lobule since this contains no cartilage
Can lead to liquefying chondritis
Growing incidence may be related rising popularity of high chondral ear piercings
May be a presenting symptom of immunosuppression
HIV, diabetes, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, or relapsing polychondritis
HIV, diabetes, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, or relapsing polychondritis
One study identified Pseudomonas as the causative organism in 95% of cases
Co-infection with E. coli in half of cases
Staph Aureus in 7% of patients
Auricular perichondritis
Otitis Externa
Balanoposthitis
Mastoiditis
Periorbital cellulitis
Auricular Hematoma
Dacryocystitis
Herpes zoster oticus