Extraskeletal Chondroma of the Preauricular Region: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

An extraskeletal chondroma is a rare benign cartilaginous tumor that develops in soft tissue. Histologically, it is a lobulated nodule surrounded by a fibrous capsule; the inside consists of mature hyaline cartilage containing a few normal chondrocytes. We present a rare case of extraskeletal chondroma in the preauricular region. A 43-year-old man presented with a 2-cm-diameter right preauricular tumor that had been developing for 1 year. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a solid lobulated tumor in the right preauricular region, which was proximate to the capsule of the right temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This was subsequently resected under general anesthesia. The tumor was not in contact with the TMJ capsule and had not invaded the surrounding tissue, facilitating en bloc excision. Histopathologically, the tumor comprised mainly of hyaline cartilage containing chondrocytes with chondrocytic lacunae and was diagnosed as a chondroma. The postoperative period was uneventful, and there was no evidence of recurrence at the 2-year followup. We describe the clinical characteristics of our case and review the literature, emphasizing the differential diagnosis.

Soft-Tissue Chondroma in the Preauricular Region: An Unusual Presentation

“…In the head and neck, they are most prevalent in the tongue, cheeks, parotid gland, neck, masticatory space, parapharyngeal space, and masseter muscle, as well as in the preauricular region. 2,8,[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] In the preauricular region, we found only six cases in the literature, 2 including this report. The six cases of soft-tissue chondroma, including ours, included two in the parotid gland, three in the preauricular region, and one in the masseter muscle.…”

Parotid gland chondroma masquerading as pleomorphic adenoma in fine needle aspiration cytology: A diagnostic challenge

“…First, it should be confirmed radiologically that the tumor is arising from parotid. Few cases of chondroma of temporo‐mandibular joint and extraskeletal soft tissue chondroma arising from preauricular soft tissue have been documented . These cases also presented as preauricular swelling.…”

“…Few cases of chondroma of temporomandibular joint and extraskeletal soft tissue chondroma arising from preauricular soft tissue have been documented. [10][11][12] These cases also presented as preauricular swelling. In our case, radiology was reviewed and it confirmed the mass being arising within the parotid gland.…”

A Case of Auricular Chondroma

“…It may recur in 10% to 15% cases; nevertheless, even in recurred cases, local resection is sufficient 1,2). However, excision of the tumor located in helix of the auricle requires a reconstruction of the defect, if it is bigger than 1 to 1.5 cm.…”

“…Extraskeletal or soft-tissue chondroma is a rare benign cartilaginous tumor that develops in the soft tissues without bone or joint involvement, occurring predominantly in the hands and feet of adults in their third and fourth decades of life 1). Cli-nically, it manifests as a slowly growing subcutaneous nodule, and the diameter is less than 3 cm in most cases, with a development in the facial area reported very rarely.…”