Perichondritis--a complication of high ear piercing.
Body piercing has become a fashionable trend in western culture. High ear piercing is common among the adolescent population and complications from this procedure although uncommon can be permanently disfiguring. We describe a case of perichondritis after high ear piercing in an adolescent male. A review of the history of body piercing, complications, risk factors, and treatment is presented.
Stewart
Gail M
GM
Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, The Department of Emergency Medicine, Loma Linda University Medical Center and Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, CA, USA. stewartwg@earthlink.net
Thorp
Andrea
A
Brown
Lance
L
D000038:Abscess / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D046288:Body Piercing / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002442:Ceftazidime / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004425:Ear Cartilage / Q000293:injuries / Q000382:microbiology; D004426:Ear Deformities, Acquired / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000628:therapy; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002442:Ceftazidime