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. 2018 Jun;22(2):88-93.
doi: 10.4235/agmr.2018.22.2.88. Epub 2018 Jun 30.

A Study of Skin Disease of the External Ear in Older Adults According to Anatomical Location

Jong Kyu Kim  1 , In Ho Bae  2 , Min Sung Kim  2 , Hoon Choi  2 , Chan Ho Na  2 , Bong Seok Shin  2
Affiliations

A Study of Skin Disease of the External Ear in Older Adults According to Anatomical Location

Jong Kyu Kim et al. Ann Geriatr Med Res. 2018 Jun.

Abstract

Background: Due to its anatomical location, the external ear is easily exposed and damaged due to trauma, weathering, and inflammation. Therefore, depending on the patient's age, different cutaneous diseases can occur. In addition, because of its small percentage of the overall body area, patients and doctors may miss observing dermatologic diseases of the ear. The purpose of this study was to provide information on the most common dermatologic diseases according to the location on the external ear.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on patients who visited the Department of Dermatology of Chosun University Hospital in the past 7 years.

Results: We included 269 patients and categorized their ear lesions according to 8 anatomical locations and 5 types of dermatologic diseases. In older patients over 60 years of age, the most common site of dermatologic disease was the postauricular region (33.9%), followed by the antihelix (19.4%), and earlobe (12.9%). The most common dermatologic disease was benign tumor (53.2%), followed by malignant and premalignant tumors (32.3% and 9.7%, respectively).

Conclusion: The proportion of older adults with premalignant and malignant diseases was relatively high and these were most commonly observed in the antihelix and postauricular area. Therefore, it is important to aware the need for the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of disease in the antihelix and postauricular area.

Keywords: External ear; Older adults; Skin disease.

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Conflict of interest statement

The researchers claim no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
External ear anatomy.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Basal cell carcinoma in concha of 74-year-old woman.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Squamous cell carcinoma in antihelix of 68-year-old man.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Epidermal cyst in ear lobe of 28-year-old man.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Keloid in helix of 23-year-old woman.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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