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[A man with a crease in his earlobe]

Fere A van Loenen Martinet1, Wim Opstelten2,3

  • 1Huisartsenpraktijk Randwijck, Amstelveen.

Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|July 28, 2022
PubMed

Insights

A diagonal earlobe crease, known as Frank's sign, can indicate an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases like coronary sclerosis and stroke. This sign may also affect the prognosis of existing cardiovascular conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Dermatology
  • Preventive Medicine

Background:

  • Cardiovascular diseases represent a significant global health burden.
  • Early identification of risk factors is crucial for preventive strategies.
  • The relationship between physical markers and internal pathology is an area of ongoing research.

Observation:

  • A 68-year-old male patient presented with a distinct diagonal crease on his earlobe.
  • This specific earlobe crease morphology is recognized as Frank's sign.

Findings:

  • Frank's sign is identified as a potential risk indicator for cardiovascular pathology.
  • The presence of Frank's sign is associated with conditions including coronary sclerosis, cerebrovascular accident, and peripheral arterial disease.

Implications:

  • Frank's sign may serve as a simple, non-invasive clinical marker for cardiovascular risk assessment.
  • Further research could explore its utility in predicting cardiovascular event prognosis.
  • Integrating earlobe examination into routine physicals could enhance early detection of at-risk individuals.

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