Pathologies of the Pinna

Acquired Pathologies

Developed pathologies or conditions

Congenital Pathologies

Genetic pathologies or conditions present at birth

Haematoma

Blood accumulation and swelling of the ear due to blunt trauma

Cauliflower Ear

Permanently swollen and deformed ear due to repeated traumas

Perichondritis

Infection of the pinna due to wounds that pierce the epithelium

Microtia

Malformation of the pinna at birth, indicating other developmental problems

Grade 1 Microtia

Smaller pinna with well-defined features, no significant hearing loss

Grade 2 Microtia

Pinna with lobe and some aspects of helix/antihelix, closed EAM, conductive hearing loss

Grade 3 Microtia

Pinna consists of vertical skin with a lobe, no EAM, common grade of microtia

Grade 4 Microtia

Anotia, no pinna or EAM, sensori-neural hearing loss

Pre-auricular Tags

Raised skin usually anterior to the tragus, may be associated with syndromes

Pre-auricular Sinus

Indent or dimple in the skin anterior to the crus of the helix

Goldenhar Syndrome

Syndrome with partially formed or absent ears, eye growths, and spinal deformities

Hemifacial Microsomia

Condition where half of one side of the face is underdeveloped

Embryo

Early stage of development before birth

Auricular Hillocks

Structures in the embryo that merge to form the pinna