Hyperbaric oxygen in the treatment of perichondritis of the pinna.

Perichondritis is a condition characterized by pain, swelling and purulent discharge from the external ear, which may progress to a deformity of the pinna. The presence of co-morbidities such as diabetes mellitus may aggravate the situation. The main aetiological agent is Pseudomonas aeruginosa and treatment consists of antibiotics combined with surgical drainage of the ear.