Preauricular sinus and cyst
Encyclopedia
A preauricular sinus or cyst (also known as a "Congenital auricular fistula," "Congenital preauricular fistula," "Ear pit", and "Preauricular cyst"
) is a common congenital malformation characterized by a nodule, dent or dimple located anywhere adjacent to the external ear. They are inherited features and usually appear on one side, but may be bilateral in 25-50% of cases. Preauricular sinuses and cysts result from developmental defects of the first and second branchial arches. Occasionally a preauricular sinus or a cyst can become infected.
Most preauricular sinuses are asymptomatic and remain untreated unless they become infected too often. Preauricular cysts are treated with surgery which, because of their close proximity to the facial nerve
should be left to an experienced surgeon.
) is a common congenital malformation characterized by a nodule, dent or dimple located anywhere adjacent to the external ear. They are inherited features and usually appear on one side, but may be bilateral in 25-50% of cases. Preauricular sinuses and cysts result from developmental defects of the first and second branchial arches. Occasionally a preauricular sinus or a cyst can become infected.
Most preauricular sinuses are asymptomatic and remain untreated unless they become infected too often. Preauricular cysts are treated with surgery which, because of their close proximity to the facial nerve
Facial nerve
The facial nerve is the seventh of twelve paired cranial nerves. It emerges from the brainstem between the pons and the medulla, and controls the muscles of facial expression, and functions in the conveyance of taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and oral cavity...
should be left to an experienced surgeon.
See also
- Branchial cleft cystBranchial cleft cystA branchial cleft cyst is an oval, moderately movable cystic mass that develops under the skin in the neck between the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the pharynx.-Pathology:...
- Thyroglossal cystThyroglossal cystA thyroglossal cyst is a fibrous cyst that forms from a persistent thyroglossal duct.-Presentation:It usually presents as a midline neck lump that is usually painless, smooth and cystic, if infected pain can occur...
- Lachiewicz Sibley syndromeLachiewicz Sibley syndromeLachiewicz-Sibley syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by preauricular pits and renal disease. Persons with this disease may have hypoplasic kidneys or proteinuria. This disease was first described in a Caucasian family of British and Irish descent that emigrated to Ohio in...
- List of cutaneous conditions
External links
- The preauricular sinus: A review of its aetiology, clinical presentation and management International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology (2005) 69, 1469—1474