Perichondritis

As perichondritis an inflammation of the cartilage skin is called. Far more common form is the Ohrmuschelperichondritis that is discussed in this article. But also in the larynx or nose cartilage inflammation of the skin may occur.

Causes

Main cause of Ohrmuschelperichondritis is the invasion of disease germs into the skin, usually on micro-injuries. Even after surgery of the external ear, ear piercing or injuries othematoma cartilage inflammation of the skin may occur. The most common pathogens are Pseudomonas and staphylococci. Infections with mycobacteria have been described.

Symptoms

Characteristic symptoms are redness and painful swelling of the pinna. Typically, the ear lobe of the inflammation is left out, as it contains no cartilage. This is an important distinction to the differential diagnosis with respect to the reference is also often localized to the auricle erysipelas, wherein the inflammation to spread to the ear lobe and the adjacent skin of the auricle. In the advanced stage attacks in the perichondritis the inflammation of the cartilage over and there is necrosis with changes in shape of the ear cartilage as a late effect ( cauliflower ear).

Therapy

At the beginning of the disease antibiotics are given in tablet form. Preparations of first choice are ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin. In advanced stages, antibiotics are sometimes required, which can only be administered as an infusion.

At the stage of necrosis surgical procedures with removal of perished ear cartilage Shares may be required to limit the ear destruction. Rinses with example Rivanol are supportive helpful, as the sole measure, however, sufficient in any case.

Perichondritis as part of a systemic disease

1923 described the Austrian Rudolf von Jaksch Internist the first time a feverishly - multisystem inflammatory disease involving the nose, ear and articular cartilage ( arthritis). The very rare disease was referred to in the following years as Relapsing polychondritis or Meyenburg Altherr - Uehlinger syndrome and is associated with autoimmune diseases today.