Perichondritis: inspect the lobule

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Jason E. Cohn¹  Eli Bress² 

[1] Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Facial Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, 71103, Shreveport, LA, USA;Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, 4190 City Line Avenue, 19131, Philadelphia, PA, USA;

关键词: Perichondritis;    Auricle;    Pinna;    Ear;    Otitis externa;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12245-020-00310-z

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

Case presentationThis is a brief report of a 57-year-old Caucasian female presented with a 4-day history of worsening left ear pain. Her symptoms began with left otalgia and otorrhea which progressed to helical erythema, prompting a visit to the emergency department. She was noted to have erythema of the left auricle and swelling of the left auditory meatus. Our otolaryngology service observed erythema of the auricle with sparing of the lobule.DiagnosisThe diagnosis to be otitis externa with perichondritis was established, and we recommended otic ciprofloxacin-hydrocortisone, IV vancomycin, and ciprofloxacin. The patient had marked improvement and was discharged on an oral and otic fluoroquinolone. In this case, the diagnosis of perichondritis was made by a classic physical examination finding: erythema and edema with sparing of the fatty lobule. This key finding helps to distinguish perichondritis from otitis externa.

【 授权许可】

CC BY