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Bacterial perichondritis: A 25-year-old man complained of atraumatic left ear pain, fever, and swelling. The tender, erythematous pinna and the presence of fever was suggestive of acute bacterial perichondritis. Acute bacterial perichondritis is an infection of the dense fibrous connective tissue that surrounds the cartilaginous section of the ear not contained within the cranium. This infection is usually caused by staphylococci or streptococci. Perichondritis can be differentiated from chondritis in which the infection involves the cartilaginous skeleton, resulting in auricular deformity. (L.S.)