Perichondritis of the ear as a complication of acupuncture

A 54-year-old woman developed pain, tenderness, and swelling at the site where a short acupuncture needle had been placed in the helix of the pinna. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from this LESION. Which was treated with removal of the needle and intravenously administered nafcillin. The patient recovered completely and had no scarring.