Chondrodermatitis Nodularis Helicis and Verruca Vulgaris

Test your diagnostic prowess on the outer-ear lesions at right:

Image 1: Flesh-colored swelling with a 1-mm white scab

Image 2: Tan, 7x3x5-mm, papillary lesion with a broad, slightly elevated, eccentric base

Image 3: Asymptomatic swelling in the superior crus of the right antihelix

Image 4: 0.5-cm, red berry-like lesion in the concha

Image 5: Light tan lesion with brown specks that is slightly raised and finely roughened

Image 6: Raised, elongated, light tan lesion on the anterior aspect of the superior helix

Image 7: Raised, pink lesion with a tiny scab on the anterior ridge of the left lower helix

(For further details, see the next page.)

Case 1:
An 80-year-old man has had an asymptomatic, flesh-colored swelling on his right ear for 4 to 5 months. In the center is a 1-mm white scab pointing downward from the helix. At times, the patient shaves a white spicule that grows in this crusted area. He sleeps on his right side and does not use a cell phone.

What type of lesion is this, and how is it best removed?   (Click here to find the answer.)

Case 2:
This tan, 7x3x5-mm, papillary lesion with a broad, slightly elevated, eccentric base has been present for several months on the right anterior helix of a 24-year-old man. It is asymptomatic.

What are you looking at here?  (Click here to find the answer.)

Case 3:
A 35-year-old woman is concerned about a 1-cm swelling that suddenly appeared in the superior crus of the right antihelix. The lesion is fluctuant and asymptomatic; no tenderness or warmth is felt on palpation. She denies trauma to the area.

How would you proceed?  (Click here to find the answer.)

Case 4:
This asymptomatic, 0.5-cm, red berry-like lesion in the concha of a 39-year-old man's left ear has been gradually enlarging for 3 months.

Is this lesion cause for alarm?  (Click here to find the answer.)

Figure A                     Figure B

Case 5:
For several months, a 67-year-old man has had an asymptomatic, 0.5-cm, light tan lesion with brown specks on his left ear that is slightly raised and finely roughened (A).

A 69-year-old woman presents with a raised, elongated, light tan lesion on the anterior aspect of the superior helix of about 1 month's duration (B). It is also asymptomatic.

Can you identify these lesions?  (Click here to find the answer.)

Case 6:
An 84-year-old man presents for evaluation of a raised, pink lesion with a tiny scab on the anterior ridge of the left lower helix. This asymptomatic, 0.5-cm lesion has been present for 2 months.

What approach would you take?  (Click here to find the answer.)

References:

REFERENCES:

1.

Elgart ML. Cell phone chondrodermatitis.

Arch Dermatol.

2000;136:1568.

2.

Dean E, Bernhard JD. Bilateral chondrodermatitis nodularis antihelicis. An unusual complication of cardiac pacemaker insertion.

Int J Dermatol.

1988; 27:122.

3.

Bard JW. Chondrodermatitis nodularis chronica helicis.

Dermatologica.

1981;163:376-384.

4.

Bottomley WW, Goodfield MDJ. Chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis occurring with systemic scleroissi--an under-reported association.

Clin Exp Dermatol.

1994;19:219-220.

5.

Sasaki T, Nichizawa H, Sugita Y. Chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis in childhood dermatomyositis.

Br J Dermatol.

1999;141:363-365.

6.

Hurwitz RM. Painful papule of the ear: a follicular disorder.

J Dermatol Surg Oncol.

1987;13:270-274.

7.

Hurwitz RM. Pseudocarcinomatous or infundibular hyperplasia.

Am J Dermatopathol.

1989; 11:189-191.