- → Microtia
- → Preauricular Sinus
- → Preauricular Appendages (Accessory Auricular Tags)
- → Cauliflower Ear
- → Keloid Ear Lobule
- → Exostoses (Diaphyseal Aclasis)
- → Osteoma
- → Otomycosis (Otomycotic Disease)
- → Traumatic Perforations of the Tympanic Membrane
- → Secretory Otitis Media
- → Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media
- → Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media with Atticoantral Disease
- → Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media with Ear Polyp
- → Multiple Perforations of the Tympanic Membrane
- → Bell's Palsy
CASE: A malformed small-sized pinna.
Provisional Diagnosis: Microtia
Q.1 How does a malformed pinna develop?
Ans. The auricle develops from the six hillocks of His. Maldevelopment or failure of fusion can result in gross abnormalities of the ear. Microtia is a deformed small-sized pinna (Fig. 1). It may or may not be associated with middle or inner ear abnormalities.
Q.2 What is the classification of congenital malformed pinna?
Ans.
- Grade I: Normal ear.
- Grade II: All pinna elements present but malformed.
- Grade III: Rudementary bar only.
- Grade IV: Absent pinna (Anotia).
Q.3 What are the investigations to be done in malformed pinna?
- Documenting the defect.
- Examining the external auditory canal (for associated abnormalities).
- Hearing assessment.
- CT scan (to assess middle ear, ossicles or cochlear anatomy).
Q.4 What is the treatment?
Ans. The treatment depends on type and severity of abnormalities:
- Minor abnormalities (grade II): No treatment is required.
- Major deformity (grades III and IV anotia):
- Removal of rudimentary pinna
- Bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA)
- Abutment to attach an artificial pinna
- Plastic reconstruction of pinna (if possible).