Preauricular sinus and cyst
| Preauricular sinus and cyst | |
|---|---|
| File:Preauricular sinus.jpg
Preauricular sinus on right ear
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| Classification and external resources | |
| Specialty | Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 446: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| ICD-10 | Q18.1 |
| ICD-9-CM | 744.4 |
| DiseasesDB | 34576 |
| MedlinePlus | 003304 |
| Patient UK | Preauricular sinus and cyst |
A preauricular sinus (also known as a congenital auricular fistula, a congenital preauricular fistula, an ear pit,[1]:782 or a preauricular cyst[2]) is a common congenital malformation characterized by a nodule, dent or dimple located anywhere adjacent to the external ear.[3] Frequency of preauricular sinus differs depending on race, 0.1-9% in the US, 0.9% in the UK, and 4-10% in Asia and parts of Africa. Frequency is known to be higher in Africans and Asians compared to caucasians.[4]
They are inherited features and usually appear on one side, but may be present on both sides in 25 to 50% of cases.[citation needed]
Causes
Preauricular sinuses and cysts result from developmental defects of the first and second pharyngeal arches.[5] This and other congenital ear malformations are sometimes associated with renal anomalies.[6] In rare cases they may be associated with branchio-oto-renal syndrome.
Complications
Occasionally a preauricular sinus or cyst can become infected.[7]
Most preauricular sinuses are asymptomatic and remain untreated unless they become infected too often.[8] Preauricular cysts are treated with surgery which, because of their close proximity to the facial nerve, is performed by an experienced surgeon, such as an otolaryngologist (a head and neck specialist).[9]
Treatment
- Antibiotics when infection occur e.g. Co - Amoxiclav 7 days course. Topical anti-staphylococci ointment may be applied if necessary.
- Surgical excision: indicated in recurrent fistular infections. Preferably done after relatively healing the infection. In case of persisting infection, infection drainage is performed during the excision operation. Operation performed by otolaryngologist surgeon and NOT by general surgeon.
- The fistula can be excised as a cosmetic operation even though no infection appeared. The procedure considered a selective operation when there is no associated complications.
See also
References
- ↑ Freedberg, et al. (2003). Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-138076-0.
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- ↑ Stephen Ludwig, Stephan Strobel, Stephen D. Marks, Pete K. Smith, Ph.D., Magdi H. El Habbal, M.D., Lewis Spitz Visual Handbook of Pediatrics and Child Health Published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2008; page 517. ISBN 0-7817-9505-2
- ↑ Michael Hawke Ear Disease Published by PMPH-USA, 2003; page 5. ISBN 1-55009-241-3
External links[2]
- The preauricular sinus: A review of its aetiology, clinical presentation and management International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology (2005) 69, 1469—1474
