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Acrobatic ears: a cause of petrified auricles
A A Lari1, N al-Rabah, H Dashti
1Departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital, Kuwait.
British Journal of Plastic Surgery
|November 1, 1989
Summary
This study presents a rare case of ossified auricles in a teenager, a condition previously documented only 12 times. A unique feature identified was acrobatic ear manipulation as a potential cause.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Medical Case Studies
- Skeletal Biology
Background:
- Calcified ear cartilages are exceedingly rare, with only 12 histologically confirmed cases reported in medical literature.
- Ossification of the auricle (external ear) is an uncommon phenomenon, presenting diagnostic and clinical challenges.
Observation:
- A unique case of ossified auricles was observed in an adolescent patient.
- The patient's history included a peculiar habit of acrobatic manipulation of the auricles.
Findings:
- Histological examination confirmed the ossification of the auricular cartilage.
- The patient's auricular manipulation was identified as a distinguishing potential etiological factor.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of rare auricular pathologies.
- Highlights the importance of considering unusual habits in the differential diagnosis of ear lesions.
- Suggests a potential link between mechanical stress and cartilage ossification in the auricle.