Accessory Auricle (Polyotia) in a Pediatric Patient: A Rare Congenital Anomaly

Accessory auricle and polyotia are rare congenital anomalies of the external ear resulting from abnormal development of the auricular hillocks. Polyotia represents a severe variant in which the accessory structure resembles an additional pinna. We report a paediatric case of unilateral accessory auricle in a child presenting to the Department of Pediatrics at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital. Clinical evaluation revealed no associated systemic abnormalities. The patient underwent surgical excision by the Department of ENT with satisfactory aesthetic outcome and no postoperative complications. The present case is of particular educational value because isolated unilateral accessory auricle without syndromic association is exceedingly uncommon and may pose a diagnostic challenge due to its resemblance to other congenital auricular malformations. This report emphasizes the importance of differentiating the accessory auricle from true polyotia and other external ear anomalies through careful clinical assessment. It also highlights the role of multidisciplinary evaluation to exclude associated craniofacial, auditory, and systemic abnormalities, which are frequently reported in such congenital conditions. Furthermore, the case demonstrates that timely surgical management can achieve favourable cosmetic outcomes with minimal morbidity, thereby contributing to the limited literature on rare auricular developmental anomalies in the paediatric population.