Preauricular sinus and cyst

Preauricular sinus and cyst
Other names	Congenital auricular fistula, Geswein Hole, Congenital preauricular fistula, Ear pit,[1]: 782  or a Preauricular cyst[2]
Preauricular sinus on right ear
Specialty	Otorhinolaryngology

A preauricular sinus 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 the population: 0.1–0.9% in the US, 0.9% in the UK, and 4–10% in Asia and parts of Africa.^[4]

Preauricular sinuses are inherited features, and most often appear unilaterally. They are present bilaterally in 25–50% of cases.^{[citation needed]}

Presentation[]

Complications[]

Occasionally a preauricular sinus or cyst can become infected.^[5] Most preauricular sinuses are asymptomatic, and remain untreated unless they become infected too often.^[6] Preauricular sinuses can be excised surgically, but often present a high risk of recurrence.^[7]

Causes[]

Preauricular sinuses and cysts result from developmental defects of the first and second pharyngeal arches.^[8] This and other ear malformations are sometimes associated with renal anomalies.^[9] In rare circumstances these pits may be seen in genetic conditions such as branchio-oto-renal syndrome; however these conditions are always concurrent with other health concerns.^[10]

Treatment[]

Courses of treatment typically include the following:^{[citation needed]}

• Draining the pus occasionally as it can build up a strong odor
• Antibiotics when infection occurs.
• Surgical excision is indicated with recurrent fistular infections, preferably after significant healing of the infection. In case of a persistent infection, infection drainage is performed during the excision operation. The operation is generally performed by an appropriately trained specialist surgeon e.g. an otolaryngologist or a specialist General Surgeon.
• The fistula can be excised as a cosmetic operation even though no infection appeared. The procedure is considered an elective operation in the absence of any associated complications.

See also[]

• Branchial cleft cyst
• Thyroglossal cyst
• Lachiewicz Sibley syndrome
• List of cutaneous conditions

References[]

Bibliography[]

Further reading[]

External links[]