Chondritis of the Ears. Presented by Dr. Stefan Bielinski.
The patient developed diffuse redness and tenderness of the left ear in April, 1958, followed by marked swelling. The condition persisted, and a month later the right ear was similarly involved. He also had a mild conjunctivitis of the right eye concurrently. Patient was treated by his family physician and an ear specialist because of occlusion of the external auditory canal.
Past history revealed no injury or frostbite.
Physical examination reveals marked thickening of both ears with a dull red erythema. The upper third of the pinna droops, and crepitation can be felt in the cartilage at the line of deformity.
The patient has shown periods of remission and exacerbation of the erythema of both ears in the past two months. He was treated with benzathine penicillin G (Bicillin) injections and warm boric acid compresses and obtained slight improvement.