PRE-AURICULAR SINUS: AN UNCOMMON PRESENTATION
- Author:
WSJ Ng
;
YK Chew
;
KL Tan
;
AW Chong
- Publication Type:Case Reports
- Keywords:
Variant type pre-auricular sinus, post-auricular cyst.
- From:Malaysian Family Physician
2011;6(1):32-33
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
An infected pre-auricular sinus presenting as a post-auricular swelling is commonly misdiagnosed as an infected dermoid or
sebaceous cyst. It may even mimic a mastoid abscess leading to further unwarranted investigations and interventions. We
present a case of a 25-year-old Malay man who was initially diagnosed with recurrent infected dermoid cyst. At presentation,
a right post-auricular inflamed swelling was noted with an overlying old incision and drainage scar. An auricular pit was found
at the crus of helix. Using a blunt probe inserted along the sinus tract pus was drained without the need for further surgical
incision. Six weeks after the acute episode, patient underwent excision of the pre-auricular sinus with no evidence of recurrence
at three months follow up. Awareness by the attending physician of this ‘variant type’ of pre-auricular sinus at patient’s first
presentation may negate the need for unnecessary incision and drainage which may subsequently impact the outcome of
surgical excision and reduce the risk of recurrence.
- Full text:W020151007408309644072.pdf
