Abnormality of the Auricle

CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS MANUAL

Abnormalities of the auricle or external ear can range from differences in ear shape and size to more complex issues affecting the function and structure of the external ear. These conditions can be congenital or acquired due to injuries, infections, or other problems.

Pathology	Diagnosis of Suspicion	Diagnosis of Confirmation
Congenital Abnormalities	Observation of visible deformities of the ear at birth.	Clinical evaluation, sometimes supplemented with genetic or radiographic studies.
Infected Preauricular Sinus	Pain, redness, and discharge near a preauricular opening.	Clinical examination, culture of the discharge to identify the causative agent.
Nodular Chondrodermatitis	Pain and inflammation in part of the external ear, palpable nodule.	Biopsy of the nodule to confirm cartilage inflammation and rule out cancer.
Pinna Haematoma	History of recent trauma, swelling, and blue-purple discolouration.	Clinical examination, occasionally imaging to assess the extent of the haematoma.
Exostosis	History of frequent exposure to cold water, obstruction of the ear canal.	CT or X-rays to visualise bony growths in the ear canal.
Earwax Plug	Feeling of blocked ear, reduced hearing, no pain.	Otoscopy showing obstruction of the ear canal by wax.
Foreign Bodies in the Ear	Pain, irritation, sensation of a foreign object, reduced hearing.	Otoscopy to visualise and confirm the presence of the foreign body.