| "Pseudocyst
of the auricle", othematoma and otoseroma: three faces of the
same coin? Eur J Dermatol.2000 Aug;10(6):451-4.
Cystic
swellings of the choncha of the ear without serious inflammation are
routine findings for otolaryngologists. They are frequently
diagnosed as othematoma or otoseroma and may be caused by traceable
traumas or microtraumas. "Pseudocyst of the auricle" is
defined as intracartilaginous cavity lacking epithelial lining.
Thus, according to previous reports "pseudocysts" are
supposed to occur due to chondromalacia within the cartilage. We
recently observed four cases of "pseudocyst of the
auricle" characterized by non-inflammatory, merely painless
swellings on the anthelix part of the ears without history of any
previous trauma. Incisional biopsies were taken from the dorsal side
of the concha and freed 2 to 2.5 ml of viscous serous fluid.
Histopathological examination of biopsy specimens showed regular
epidermis overlying normal reticular dermis and perichondrium as
well as regular cartilage in all patients. In the fourth patient the
biopsy, additionally, revealed a tiny intracartilaginous cavity
measuring 1 x 4 micrometers in diameter. Histopathologically "pseudocysts
of the auricle" are reported to represent small
intracartilaginous hollows lacking epithelial linings. Following
previous descriptions they are located within the cartilage of the
concha of the ear. Because of the small size of the
intracartilaginous cavity they are unable to contain more than a few
microliters of fluid. Therefore cystic swellings of the auricle
containing comparatively large amounts of serous liquid must be
located outside the cartilage. In this context the concept of "pseudocyst
of the auricle" as reported, can only be seen as the third face
of a coin that shows othematoma on the one and otoseroma on the
other side.
Pseudocyst of the
auricle: case reports and its biochemical characteristics. Ann Plast
Surg.1993 Nov;31(5):471-4.
Pseudocyst
of the auricle is a rare, asymptomatic cystic swelling of the
auricle resulting from accumulation of yellow viscous fluid with
unknown cause. We herein report 3 such patients in whom biochemical
study of the aspirated fluid revealed markedly elevated activity of
lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and a preponderance of LDH-4 and LDH-5.
We postulate that pseudocyst formation is due to the disruption of
the auricular cartilage and that LDH in the fluid is released from
the auricular cartilage. This observation supports that the lesions
represent a pattern of chondromalacia. It is hypothesized that the
cause of such pseudocysts is repeated minor trauma.
Pathologic quiz
case 1. Auricular pseudocyst (benign idiopathic cystic
chondromalacia, endochondral pseudocyst, or seroma of the auricle).
Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.1992 Oct;118(10):1128-30.
Cystic
chondromalacia of the auricle. A case report. Review of the
literature. Ann Chir Plast Esthet. 1991;36(1):71-4.
Cystic
chondromalacia is a clinical and histopathological entity which can
be clearly distinguish from all other cystic lesions of the auricle.
We report a case which was clinically asymptomatic and involved the
scaphoid fossa of the anterior surface of the pinna. The
pathological process consisted of degenerative changes of the
auricular cartilage which produced a cavity containing a serous
fluid. No etiologic factor was found, in particular no trauma. The
posterior wall of the cyst was excised under local anesthesia. This
case allowed us to review the clinical, histopathological features
and surgical difficulties of this rare lesion.
Pseudocyst of the
auricle associated with trauma. Arch Dermatol.1989
Apr;125(4):528-30.
A pseudocyst
of the auricle (benign idiopathic cystic chondromalacia) is an
intracartilaginous cystic swelling of the anterior auricle. The
cause is uncertain, and most patients deny any history of
inflammation or trauma. A patient had antecedent trauma and a
fracture in the conchal cartilage; a simple surgical procedure was
used to treat this patient.
Pseudocyst of the
auricle: a review of 21 cases. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.1986
Mar;94(3):360-1.
Pseudocyst
of the auricle (benign idiopathic cystic chondromalacia) is rare.
Only 20 cases have been previously reported in the literature. Our
study retrospectively reviews 21 additional cases. We conclude that
idiopathic cystic chondromalacia can occur in both sexes, in all
races, and at any age. The differential diagnoses for idiopathic
cystic chondromalacia are relapsing polychondritis and
chondrodermatitis nodularis chronica helicis. Recurrence of
idiopathic cystic chondromalacia is uncommon following adequate
local treatment.
Cystic
chondromalacia (endochondral pseudocyst) of the auricle. Arch.
Pathol Lab Med.1986 Aug;110(8):740-3.
We reviewed
and studied the histologic features of 23 cases of pseudocysts of
auricular cartilage. Our aim was to determine and describe the
histologic spectrum of this condition and to delineate the
histologic differential diagnostic points. Lesions for which this
condition has been mistaken include relapsing polychondritis,
chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis, traumatic perichondritis,
hemangioma, chondroma, angiosarcoma, and chondrosarcoma. The
pathologist who is familiar with the histologic patterns of this
condition usually can recognize it readily. When biopsy specimens
are small, and the diagnosis is uncertain, clinical features can
often suggest the correct diagnosis.
|
