Recurrent Inflammatory Chondritis Following Ear Piercings

Abstract

Auricular chondritis is an uncommon complication of ear trauma, including ear piercing, that carries a risk of permanent deformity. Auricular chondritis in young adults is typically infectious and without recurrence. Other rare cases of chondritis, which are more common in older adults, are inflammatory and occur as part of an autoimmune disorder called relapsing polychondritis (RP). We present a case of an 18 year old girl with two separate episodes of auricular chondritis in each ear following cartilage piercing that responded to prolonged steroid treatment.