N Z Med J. 1987 Mar; 100(819): 141-2.

Auricular complication of acupuncture.

Gilbert JG.

Timaru Hospital.

Auricular chondritis occurred in a patient following a course of auricular acupuncture administered to help the patient give up smoking. Despite immediate treatment the condition pursued a long course resulting in considerable morbidity and some deformity of the ear. Twenty months after presentation the ear is not completely stable. Acupuncture should be considered a form of penetrating trauma which may induce perichondritis or chondritis in the auricle.