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A rare case of petrified ear.
Kathryn E Buikema1, Erin G Adams
1Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center, Fort George G. Meade, MD 20755, USA.
Case Reports in Dermatological Medicine
|December 22, 2012
Summary
Petrified ear, or auricle ossification, is a rare condition. This case highlights a unilateral petrified ear in a patient with a history of hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcemia, emphasizing the need for thorough evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Radiology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Calcification or ossification of the auricle (petrified ear) is a rare dermatologic diagnosis.
- Previously reported causes include trauma, hypothermia, frostbite, and hypercalcemia from metabolic/endocrine disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the clinical and radiologic findings of a rare case of unilateral petrified ear.
- To discuss potential etiologies, patient evaluation, and treatment recommendations for this condition.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 79-year-old male with unilateral petrified ear.
- Clinical examination, laboratory analysis, and radiologic studies were performed.
- Patient had a history of hyperparathyroidism and treated hypercalcemia.
Main Results:
- Incidental finding of unilateral partial ossification of the external auricular cartilage.
- No other signs of hypercalcemia were present despite prior history.
- Diagnosis of petrified ear confirmed via clinical and radiologic findings.
Conclusions:
- Petrified ear can be an incidental finding, even after treatment for hypercalcemia.
- Highlights the importance of considering metabolic and endocrine disorders in the differential diagnosis.
- Further research into etiologies and management strategies is warranted.
