Auricular granuloma annulare. A consequence of trauma?

Localized granuloma annulare (GA) is a cutaneous disorder characterized by the formation of palisading necrobiotic granulomas. Although trauma and vasculitis have been considered, the etiology of most cases remains obscure and the disease is generally considered to be idiopathic. The condition may occur at any age and at any site, but usually involves the hands or feet of children or young adults, predominantly affecting females. We present two cases occurring as nodules involving the external ears of males. One of these showed a bilateral distribution and was clearly related to trauma.