Treatment of Perichondritis of the Ear

Initial Assessment and Diagnosis

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends recognizing the classic presentation of perichondritis, which includes painful swelling, warmth, and erythema of the cartilaginous portion of the auricle that characteristically spares the earlobe, in patients with suspected perichondritis 1, 2
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests distinguishing perichondritis from simple cellulitis by checking for acute tenderness when deflecting the auricular cartilage, which indicates deeper perichondrial infection requiring systemic antibiotics 1

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends prescribing fluoroquinolone antibiotics as initial therapy for perichondritis because Pseudomonas aeruginosa is isolated in 69% of culture-positive cases 1

The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against using local anesthesia with epinephrine if surgical intervention is needed, as this compromises the already tenuous blood supply to auricular cartilage 1

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends re-examining patients with perichondritis within 48-72 hours to ensure response to antibiotics and absence of abscess formation requiring drainage 1