Postauricular Masses

Abstract

Objective: The postauricular region (PR) is an anatomic area that has been neglected until now, due to the fact that the significant cosmetic changes and features of this region are often overlooked. There are limited and inconsistent data about postauricular masses in the literature and the definition of the PR and its borders remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to define the PR and evaluate benign and malignant masses that may arise in the PR. Methods: Fifty-two patients were enrolled in the study. The patients were evaluated retrospectively in terms of demographic data, including age, gender, operative method, lesion side and size, diagnostic tools, and histopathologic diagnosis of the masses. Results: The masses were categorized into 4 groups according to the etiology; neoplastic (n: 15, 28.8%), inflammatory (n: 13, 25%), congenital (n: 22, 42.3%) and traumatic (n: 2, 3.8%). Of the neoplastic masses, 6 (11.5%) were nonmelanoma skin cancer, comprising 4 (7.6%) basal cell carcinomas and 2 (3.8%) squamous cell carcinomas. A total of 9 (17.3%) neoplastic masses were benign, comprising 3 (5.7%) lipomas, 3 (5.7%) temporal bone osteomas, 2 (3.8%) nevi, and 1 (1.9%) plexiform neurofibroma. Of the 13 (25%) inflammatory masses, 12 (23%) were lymph nodes and 1 (1.9%) was pilonidal sinus. There were 22 (42.3%) congenital masses comprising 15 (28.8%) epidermal cysts, 4 (7.6%) dermoid cysts, and 3 (5.7%) hemangiomas. The 2 (3.8%) patients with traumatic lesion were both keloid patients. Conclusion: The PR does not attract attention from the cosmetic point of view but many benign and malignant masses can be found in this region. Any masses detected in this area should be treated to prevent further growth.

Postauriküler Pilonidal Sinüs: Nadir Bir Olgu Sunumu ve Kısa Literatür Derlemesi

“…Biopsy can be applied when necessary (3). There are sebaceous cysts, dermoid and epidermoid cysts, eosinophilic granuloma, lymphadenopathy, lipoma, fibroma, osteoma and Ewing's sarcoma in the differential diagnosis (8). In relation to our case, the physical examination was found to be sufficient in the diagnosis, there was no active infection, and the blood picture was normal.…”

“…Surgical treatment is very important in order to prevent complications such as osteomyelitis and malignant transformation (8). Even though malignant transformation is extremely rare, PNS cases with squamous cell carcinoma and verrucous carcinoma have been reported in patients who are not treated for a long time period (5,7).…”