Pseudocyst of pinna: a recurrence-free approach

The aims of the article were to study the epidemiological profile of pseudocyst of pinna in non-Chinese population, to propose a hormonal basis of pseudocyst formation, and to compare 2 commonly used treatment modalities of incision drainage with compression and deroofing with compression, so as to ascertain the definitive treatment of this frequently recurring condition.

Twenty-nine patients were diagnosed with pseudocyst of the auricle between June 2005 and December 2006 in a medical college hospital. All the patients were initially subjected to aspiration with contour dressing. Of the 29 patients, 28 showed recurrence with in 1 week. These 28 patients were divided into 2 groups--13 patients underwent incision and drainage with curettage followed by buttoning, whereas 15 underwent surgical deroofing of the cyst along with buttoning.

All the 29 patients were males with a mean age of 32.6 +/- 4.3 years. Sixteen (55.17%) patients had a right-sided lesion, whereas 13 (44.82%) patients had a left-sided lesion. No case of bilateral pseudocyst was seen. The pseudocyst was most commonly located in the concha. After aspiration with contour dressing, 28 (96.55%) patients showed recurrence within 1 week. Of the 13 patients who underwent incision drainage with buttoning, 5 (38.46%) showed recurrence. Of the 13 patients who underwent incision drainage, 3 (23.07%) showed permanent thickening of the auricular cartilage. The 5 cases that recurred then underwent deroofing with buttoning along with 15 patients. Thus, a total of 20 patients underwent surgical deroofing. No recurrence was seen with this technique. The patients were followed up for 1 month. No complication was noted, and the results were cosmetically acceptable.

Pseudocyst of the pinna is an uncommon condition of the auricle presenting as a painless swelling in young adult males. The epidemiological profile of this condition is similar in Chinese and non-Chinese (Indian) population. A hormonal influence modulating the inflammatory process explains the marked male predominance of this condition. Surgical deroofing followed by buttoning is the definitive treatment of this entity as it is associated with no recurrence and gives a cosmetically acceptable result.