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Case Reports
. 2012 Sep;16(5):830-2.
doi: 10.4103/2230-8210.100649.

"Petrified ears" with idiopathic adult-onset pituitary insufficiency

Yashpal Gogate  1 , Prathosh Gangadhar, Rama R Walia, Anil Bhansali
Affiliations
Case Reports

"Petrified ears" with idiopathic adult-onset pituitary insufficiency

Yashpal Gogate et al. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2012 Sep.

Abstract

"Petrified ears" or calcification of auricular cartilage is an uncommonly reported condition. The most common causes of this phenomenon are local trauma, frost bite, and inflammation. Adrenal insufficiency is the most frequent systemic disease associated with auricular calcification. We present a case of idiopathic adult-onset pituitary insufficiency with hypocortisolism and bilateral auricular calcification. Recognition of the association between auricular calcification and adrenal insufficiency can be an important step toward the identification of a life-threatening cortisol deficiency.

Keywords: Adrenal insufficiency; adult-onset pituitary insufficiency; auricular calcification.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Non Contrast CT scan of the head showing auricular calcification
Figure 2
Figure 2
Petrified ears-stiff ears but with no visible changes
Figure 3
Figure 3
MRI sella showing the partially empty sella
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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