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Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection of the Auricular Cartilage Caused by “High Ear Piercing”: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

2008; Elsevier BV; Volume: 66; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.joms.2006.10.045

1531-5053

Henry H. Rowshan, Karen Keith, Dale A. Baur, Peter J. Skidmore,

Contact Dermatitis and Allergies

Piercing of various parts of the body has gained tremendous popularity among adolescent and adult populations in recent years. There are no exact statistical reports on the number of body piercings being performed in the United States. One study among 481 college students in New York revealed that 42% of men and 60% of women had body piercing. 1 Stirn A. Body piercing: Medical consequences and psychological motivations. Lancet. 2003; 361: 1205 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (231) Google Scholar In the past, the majority of complications of ear piercing were associated with the lobule. Torn ear lobes, localized infection, hypertrophic scars, allergic contact dermatitis, and keloid formations were among the most common, with no significant morbidity. 2 Hendricks W.M. Complications of ear piercing: Treatment and prevention. Cutis. 1991; 48: 386 PubMed Google Scholar However, "high ear piercing," defined as piercing through the ear cartilage, is now very popular. Because of the lack of vascularity, piercing of the ear cartilage has been associated with a higher incidence of infections than the lobule. Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the most common causative organisms. 3 Meltzer D.I. Complications of body piercing. Am Fam Physician. 2005; 72: 2029 PubMed Google Scholar Most commonly, such infections occur in newly pierced ears and in the warm-weather months of the year. These infections can lead to significant perichondritis and necrosis of the auricular cartilage, often resulting in permanent disfigurement and reconstructive challenges. The oral and maxillofacial surgeon may be presented with such cases and must be familiar with the prompt treatment protocol of the infection.