Benign Tumors of the Auricle and the External Auditory Canal.

Source: PubMed, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine

The external ear consists of two anatomically distinctive parts, i.e. the auricle and the external auditory canal (EAC). The auricle is almost completely free of subcutaneous adipose tissue, except for the earlobe. The auricle may become sun-exposed and show the cutaneous signs of photoaging. The EAC is sun-protected and has specialized skin glands - the ceruminous glands. We review benign skin tumors and hyperplasia of the bony and cartilaginous tissue, the epidermis and dermis, skin appendages, nerve sheaths, cysts, and vessels. Dermatoscopy can be helpful in diagnostics; however, most of the tumors need histopathologic study for final diagnostic confirmation. Treatment options vary between the tumor entities, but in many cases, surgery remains the gold standard. Laser, curettage, or cryotherapy are less invasive options. Medical treatment is limited.