acute infection of pinna

Acute Infection of Pinna: Symptoms and Causes

The acute infection of the pinna, also known as perichondritis or auricular perichondritis, is a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention. The symptoms of this infection can be severe and include:

• Redness and swelling: The first signs of an acute infection of the pinna are redness and swelling of the affected area [7][8].
• Pain: The person may experience pain in the infected area, which can range from mild to severe [5][9].
• Fever: A fever is often present in cases of perichondritis, indicating a systemic infection [7].
• Swollen lymph nodes: Swollen lymph nodes in the neck or behind the ear may also be a sign of an acute infection of the pinna [10].

The causes of perichondritis can vary, but some common triggers include:

• Trauma to the pinna: A penetrating injury or trauma to the cartilage of the outer ear can lead to perichondritis [4][11].
• Ear piercing: Transcartilaginous ear piercing is a common cause of this infection, especially if proper hygiene and aftercare are not followed [5][15].
• Insect bites: Insect bites or stings can also lead to perichondritis in some cases [1].
• Burns: Burns to the outer ear can increase the risk of developing perichondritis [4].

It is essential to seek medical attention immediately if you suspect an acute infection of the pinna. Delayed treatment can lead to complications, such as abscess formation or destruction of the cartilage, which may result in a deformed pinna (cauliflower ear) [13].

Symptoms of Acute Pinna Infection

The symptoms of an acute infection of the pinna, also known as perichondritis or cellulitis, can be quite distressing. According to medical sources [1][2], the main symptom is a painful and swollen outer ear, with redness usually occurring around an injury sustained to the ear.

Common Symptoms:

• Painful and swollen outer ear
• Redness around the injured area
• Local warmth and tenderness to touch
• Fever (in some cases)
• Pus accumulation between the cartilage and the layer of connective tissue [3]

These symptoms can occur as a complication of acute otitis externa, eczema or psoriasis, or from an insect bite. It's essential to seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms, as untreated perichondritis can lead to serious complications.

Causes and Risk Factors:

• Ear trauma, most commonly high ear cartilage piercing
• Bacterial infection (perichondritis is a bacterial infection)
• Penetrating ear trauma, such as transcartilaginous ear piercing [4]

It's crucial to note that perichondritis can be mistaken for pinna cellulitis, which shares its risk factors. However, perichondritis is often a more severe infection.

Treatment:

Treatment typically includes antibiotics and addressing the underlying cause of the infection. Untreated perichondritis can lead to serious complications, such as cauliflower deformities or permanent damage to the ear cartilage [5][6].

References: [1] Pinna (auricular) perichondritis presents with signs and symptoms that can include pain, erythema, and local warmth. [2] The first symptoms are redness, pain, and swelling of the pinna. The person may have a fever. Pus accumulates between the cartilage and the layer of connective tissue. [3] Pus accumulation between the cartilage and the layer of connective tissue [4] Penetrating ear trauma, such as transcartilaginous ear piercing [5] Untreated perichondritis can lead to serious complications, such as cauliflower deformities or permanent damage to the ear cartilage. [6] The pinna is part of the outer ear. Infection can affect the pinna and the underlying cartilage leading to undesirable 'cauliflower' deformities.

Based on the provided context, here are the diagnostic tests for acute infection of the pinna:

• Clinical diagnosis: The diagnosis of an acute infection of the pinna is often evident from history and physical examination [8][8]. A swab of the pus may be obtained to confirm the presence of an infection.
• Imaging studies: Imaging with a computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan may be needed to confirm the clinical diagnosis, especially if there is suspicion of a more severe infection such as perichondritis [6][11].
• Otoscopic examination: An otoscope exam can be performed to assess the condition of the external auditory canal, tympanic membrane, and middle ear. This can help identify signs of inflammation or infection in the pinna [14].

It's worth noting that the diagnosis of an acute infection of the pinna is often based on clinical evaluation and may not require additional diagnostic tests. However, imaging studies and otoscopic examination can be useful in confirming the diagnosis or ruling out other conditions.

References: [6] by CPS Hui · 2013 · Cited by 28 — Imaging with a computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scan may be needed to confirm the clinical diagnosis. [8] External Ear Infections - Pinna Infection - Diagnosis. The diagnosis is often evident from history and physical examination. A swab of the pus may be ... [11] Acute otitis externa is a common condition involving inflammation of the ear canal. The acute form is caused pri- marily by bacterial infection, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus ... [14] Clinicians perform an otoscope exam to assess the condition of the external auditory canal (EAC), tympanic membrane (TM), and the middle ear. Steps of the otoscope exam include inspecting the EAC and the TM with its identifying landmarks as outlined below.

Treatment Guidelines for Acute Pinna Infection

The treatment of acute pinna infection, also known as perichondritis, typically involves the use of antibiotics to manage the infection and prevent its progression.

• Antibiotic Therapy: The most common antibiotic prescribed for treating perichondritis is a fluoroquinolone, which comes in two forms: oral and topical [3]. In some cases, an aminoglycoside plus a semisynthetic penicillin may be used in combination with a fluoroquinolone [2].
• Systemic Corticosteroids: Systemic corticosteroids are often prescribed to reduce inflammation and swelling associated with the infection [2].
• Removal of Foreign Objects: It is essential to remove any foreign objects, such as ear piercings, especially if they are located in or near areas of perichondritis, cellulitis, or abscess [7].

Hospital Admission

In severe cases, hospital admission may be necessary for intravenous antibiotics to prevent the infection from progressing into an abscess. If an abscess has already formed, it will require drainage and treatment with antibiotics [5].

Symptom Resolution

With prompt diagnosis and antibiotic therapy, symptoms of pinna perichondritis should subside within 2-3 days [8]. However, pain and tenderness may persist for a longer period.

Important Considerations

• Systemic antibiotics should be used only when the infection has spread beyond the ear canal or when there is uncontrolled diabetes [9].
• It is crucial to monitor the patient's condition closely and adjust treatment accordingly.

References: [1] Not provided (no relevant information found) [2] Context 2 [3] Context 3 [4] Not provided (no relevant information found) [5] Context 5 [6] Not provided (no relevant information found) [7] Context 7 [8] Context 8 [9] Context 9

Based on the provided context, here are some potential differential diagnoses for an acute infection of the pinna:

• Perichondritis: This is a bacterial infection that affects the cartilage-bearing part of the external ear. It can be caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, or Escherichia coli bacteria.
• Relapsing perichondritis: This is a recurring form of perichondritis that can cause repeated episodes of infection and inflammation in the pinna.
• Necrotizing otitis externa: Also known as black ear canal syndrome, this is a rare but serious infection that affects the external auditory canal and can spread to the surrounding tissues.
• Malignancy (e.g., Merkel's cell carcinoma): In rare cases, an acute infection of the pinna can be caused by a skin cancer such as Merkel's cell carcinoma.

These differential diagnoses are based on information from search results [12] and [5], which highlight the potential causes of perichondritis and other conditions that may present with similar symptoms.