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H61.0 Perichondritis of the External Ear – Symptoms

H61.0 is the ICD-10 code for perichondritis of the external ear, an infection of the tissue surrounding the ear cartilage, often caused by injury or piercing.

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H61.0 is the ICD-10 code for perichondritis of the external ear, an infection of the tissue surrounding the ear cartilage, often caused by injury or piercing.

What is H61.0 – Perichondritis of the External Ear?

The ICD-10 code H61.0 refers to perichondritis of the external ear. This is an inflammation of the perichondrium – the thin layer of connective tissue that surrounds the cartilage of the outer ear (auricle or pinna). If left untreated, the condition can spread rapidly and cause permanent damage to the ear cartilage.

Causes

Perichondritis is usually caused by a bacterial infection. Common triggers include:

Trauma to the ear, such as lacerations, bites, or blunt injuries
Ear piercing, especially through the cartilage (e.g., helix piercing)
Surgery involving the outer ear
Burns or frostbite affecting the auricle
Complications of otitis externa (inflammation of the ear canal)
Rarely: hematogenous spread (bacteria spreading through the bloodstream)

The most common causative organisms are Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.

Symptoms

The condition typically presents with the following signs:

Redness, swelling, and warmth of the outer ear
Severe pain in the affected area
Hardening or a feeling of tension in the tissue
Fever and general malaise (in advanced infection)
Fluid collection (abscess) between the perichondrium and cartilage

A characteristic feature is that the earlobe is usually not affected, as it contains no cartilage.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is typically made clinically through physical examination by a physician. Additional investigations may include:

Swab cultures for microbiological identification of the causative organism
Blood tests to assess inflammatory markers (e.g., CRP, white blood cell count)
Imaging (ultrasound or CT scan) if an abscess or deeper spread is suspected

Treatment

Treatment depends on the severity of the infection:

Conservative Treatment

Antibiotics: Fluoroquinolones (e.g., ciprofloxacin) are the preferred choice due to their effectiveness against Pseudomonas. Treatment typically lasts 10–14 days.
Local measures: Cooling, antiseptic compresses
Pain management: e.g., with ibuprofen or paracetamol

Surgical Treatment

In cases of abscess formation: surgical incision and drainage
Removal of necrotic tissue (debridement)
In severe cases: hospital admission and intravenous antibiotic therapy

Early treatment is essential to prevent permanent deformity of the auricle, commonly known as cauliflower ear.

Prognosis

With timely and consistent treatment, perichondritis of the external ear generally heals completely. Delayed treatment may lead to cartilage destruction and permanent deformity of the outer ear.

References

World Health Organization (WHO): ICD-10 Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders – H61.0 Perichondritis of external ear. WHO, Geneva.
Schaefer S. D. (Ed.): Rhinology and Sinus Disease: A Problem-Oriented Approach. Mosby, 1998.
Prasad H. K. C. et al.: Perichondritis of the auricle and its management. Journal of Laryngology & Otology, 2007; 121(6): 530–534.

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