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Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2022 Mar 1;131(3):312-321. Epub 2021 Jun 1.

Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.

Background: Infection caused by species is a rare cause of head and neck infection in children. This chronic cervicofacial infection can present with localized swelling, abscess formation, sinus drainage and can be complicated by osteomyelitis.

Methods: Presented are 2 pediatric cases of secondary actinomycosis in the context of congenital lesions: 1 patient with a previously excised preauricular sinus and another with a persistent sublingual mass. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2021 May 20;14(5). Epub 2021 May 20.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines.

A 22-year old construction worker was shot with a fishing harpoon gun on the left side of his face. He consulted at the emergency room 12 days postinjury, stable but with blurring of vision on the right. The shaft of the harpoon was protruding at the left preauricular area; the tip was neither visible nor palpable. Read More

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2021 Jul 11;278(7):2593-2601. Epub 2021 Jan 11.

Department of Infectious Diseases, General Hospital Zadar, Bože Peričića 5, 23 000, Zadar, Croatia.

Purpose: Branchial cleft anomalies (BCAs) are developmental malformations of the head and neck region. Their histogenesis has been the subject of controversy and is not fully understood. This study aimed to test all present developmental theories ("branchial apparatus," "precervical sinus," "thymopharyngeal," and "inclusion" theories) on a sample of 48 BCAs from a single institution. Read More

Pediatr Rev 2020 Jun;41(6):276-282

Division of Pediatric Surgery, Cohen Children's Medical Center, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, New Hyde Park, NY.

Neonates often have congenital lumps or sinuses. It is expected that pediatricians will distinguish those with important physiologic implications from those without. Accurate understanding of these lesions is important for the practitioner to avoid unnecessary tests and anxiety and to ensure that seemingly benign lesions with important implications are addressed in a timely manner. Read More

Laryngoscope 2020 10 11;130(10):2467-2474. Epub 2019 Dec 11.

and Department of Medical Biology, Section Clinical Anatomy and Embryology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Objectives/hypothesis: Congenital auricular anomalies are common. Additionally, the auricle plays an important role in the staging of human embryos. However, little is known about the embryological development of the auricle. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019 Dec 17;127:109682. Epub 2019 Sep 17.

Departments of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery and Pediatrics, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States. Electronic address:

Objective: To review a single-surgeon, 16-year experience with the management of infected preauricular sinuses/cysts.

Methods: Computerized search of all office notes and operative reports during the years 2002-2018.

Setting: Academic medical center and suburban office practice. Read More

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2019 Jul 15;276(7):1961-1967. Epub 2019 May 15.

Department of Otolaryngology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, 107 West Yan Jiang Road, Guangzhou, 510120, China.

Objectives: To make otolaryngologists aware of the variant types of auricular sinus, we have performed a systematic review of patient diagnoses and presented our operative experiences.

Methods: From 2009 to 2013 in Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, there was a total of 20 children with the variant type of auricular sinuses including the comprehensive group. Postauricular sinuses have pits located posterior to the imaginary vertical line that is tangent to the external auditory canal. Read More

J Ultrasound Med 2019 Dec 7;38(12):3107-3122. Epub 2019 May 7.

Department of Radiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

A dermal sinus/fistula is a common condition; the relevant department should be consulted for appropriate treatment. It is important for radiologists to have adequate knowledge of these conditions to provide the correct diagnosis and recommend subsequent management. This review describes the following lesions: preauricular sinus, midline sinus of the upper lip, nasal dermoid sinus cyst, cheek fistula, first branchial cleft anomaly/sublingual branchial cleft anomaly, thyroglossal duct cyst/fistula, lateral cervical sinus/fistula, congenital dermal sinus/fistula of the anterior chest region, congenital skin sinus/fistula with a sternal cleft, and congenital prepubic sinus. Read More

Am J Otolaryngol 2018 Mar - Apr;39(2):204-207. Epub 2017 Nov 10.

Department of Otolaryngology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2017 Feb 27;93:68-70. Epub 2016 Dec 27.

Head and Neck Institute, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA. Electronic address:

Introduction: Preauricular lesions, including tags, pits, sinuses, and cysts are commonly seen. Some studies have shown increased incidence of hearing loss in these patients but other studies have failed to corroborate this finding. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the incidence of hearing loss in patients with isolated preauricular lesions. Read More

Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2016 Oct 26;20(4):390-393. Epub 2016 Apr 26.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.

 Several surgical techniques and modifications have been described to reduce the high recurrence rate after excision of preauricular sinus.  The aim of this study is to review the literature regarding surgical approaches for preauricular sinus.  We performed searches in the LILACS, MEDLINE, SciELO, PubMed databases and Cochrane Library in September, 2015, and the key words used in the search were "preauricular sinus," "sinusectomy," "supra-auricular approach," "methylene blue," and/or "recurrence. Read More

Laryngoscope 2016 07 4;126(7):1535-44. Epub 2016 Jan 4.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Objectives/hypothesis: Preauricular sinuses are benign congenital malformations of preauricular soft tissues. Complete excision using either sinectomy or supra-auricular approach is advised to prevent recurrence. Reported recurrence varies between 0 and 42%. Read More

Arch Craniofac Surg 2015 Aug 11;16(2):63-66. Epub 2015 Aug 11.

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ajou University Hospital, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.

Background: Preauricular sinuses represent a common congenital abnormality in children. Classically, a preauricular sinus manifests as a small opening, usually near the anterior limb of ascending helix. The difficulty in the surgical treatment of preauricular sinus is the high recurrence rate. Read More

Otolaryngol Clin North Am 2015 Feb;48(1):209-23

Division of Otolaryngology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 East Chicago Avenue, Box 25, Chicago, IL 60611-2605, USA. Electronic address:

Defects of embryologic development give rise to a variety of congenital lesions arising from the epithelium and are among the most common congenital lesions of the head and neck in the pediatric population. This article presents several congenital lesions of epithelial origin, including congenital midline cervical cleft, pilomatrixoma, dermoid, foregut duplication cysts, and preauricular sinuses and pits. In addition, the management of these lesions is reviewed. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2014 Nov 15;78(11):1843-8. Epub 2014 Aug 15.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Objective: Although most preauricular sinuses are located near the anterior limb of the ascending helix, some are located in unusual areas around the auricle, as shown previously in limited reports. This study analyzed the clinical manifestations of congenital periauricular fistulas with unusual fistula locations and the possible relationship with the classical preauricular sinus.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent congenital periauricular sinus excision by three surgeons and followed them for more than 6 months. Read More

J Coll Physicians Surg Pak 2014 May;24(5):367-8

Department of Radiology, Combined Military Hospital, Multan Cantt.

The association of branchial arch anomalies (branchial cysts, branchial fistulas), hearing loss and renal anomalies constitutes the branchio-oto-renal (BOR) syndrome also known as Melnick Fraser syndrome. We present a case of this rare disorder in a girl child who presented with profound deafness, preauricular pits, branchial sinuses and renal hypoplasia. Read More

Int J Biomed Sci 2013 Dec;9(4):260-3

Department of ENT, Lagos University teaching hospital, Lagos, Nigeria.

Background And Aim: Preauricular sinus abscess is a common congenital external ear disease. This abscess is usually misdiagnosed because it is commonly overlooked during physical examination. In Nigeria, the prevalence was 9. Read More

J Cutan Pathol 2014 Aug 19;41(8):677-9. Epub 2014 Mar 19.

Department of Cellular Pathology, Hospital El Bierzo, Ponferrada, Spain.

Steatocystoma multiplex is characterized by the development of numerous steatocystomas. The condition has occasionally been related to congenital bilateral preauricular sinuses. Herein, we present the third case of such an association, a 34-year-old male who was born with bilateral preauricular sinuses that were surgically repaired. Read More

Arch Plast Surg 2014 Jan 13;41(1):45-9. Epub 2014 Jan 13.

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Eulji University Hospital, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.

Background: Preauricular sinuses are congenital abnormalities caused by a failure of fusion of the primitive tubercles from which the pinna is formed. When persistent or recurring inflammation occurs, surgical excision of the infected tissue should be considered. Preauricular defects inevitably occur as a result of excisions and are often difficult to resolve with a simple suture; a more effective reconstruction technique is required for treating these defects. Read More

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2013 Oct;149(4):651-2

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2013 Oct;149(4):650-1

Ear Nose Throat J 2013 Jul;92(7):304, 306-9

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, College of Medicine-Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines, Ward 10, Taft Ave., Ermita, Manila 1000, Philippines.

We describe what we believe is only the third reported case of coexisting first and bilateral second branchial fistulas associated with nonfamilial branchio-otic syndrome. The patient was a 6-year-old girl who presented with bilaterally draining anterior neck puncta, a preauricular sinus, and moderately severe bilateral hearing loss. She had no family history of branchial anomalies. Read More

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2013 Sep 15;149(3):399-401. Epub 2013 Jul 15.

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Uijeongbu St Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Uijeongbu, Korea.

Preauricular sinus is a relatively common congenital anomaly that mainly exists on the anterior aspect of the anterior limb of the ascending helix. Although many surgical techniques have been developed, extirpation of the sinus is not easy because of the ramifications of the sinus, remnants of the sinus wall, and infection with or without formation of abscesses, which can all lead to disease recurrence. In our institution, we have surgically treated a total of 141 cases of congenital preauricular sinuses. Read More

Mol Syndromol 2013 Jan 11;3(6):262-9. Epub 2013 Jan 11.

Department of Human Genetics, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.

Trisomy 22 is a common trisomy in spontaneous abortions. In contrast, live-born trisomy 22 is rarely seen due to severe organ malformations associated with this condition. Here, we report on a male infant with complete, non-mosaic trisomy 22 born at 35 + 5 weeks via caesarean section. Read More

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2013 Nov 31;270(12):3127-31. Epub 2013 Mar 31.

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, St. Vincent hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, 93-6 Ji-Dong, Paldal-Gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-Do, 442-723, Korea.

The objective of this study was to review outcomes of early one-stage surgery of acutely infected preauricular sinus compared to conventional delayed surgery after infection control. The study is a case series with chart review conducted in an academic center. From January 1, 2007 to January 31, 2012, we performed surgical treatments for 136 congenital preauricular sinuses on 103 patients aged 0-15 years. Read More

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2013 Jun 22;148(6):959-64. Epub 2013 Mar 22.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.

Objectives: The preauricular sinus is a common congenital abnormality of the preauricular soft tissues. Here, we demonstrate the decision making in the choice of surgical management of preauricular sinuses based on disease severity. In addition, a method termed figure 8 incision with extended fistulectomy is introduced. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2013 Mar 23;77(3):372-8. Epub 2012 Dec 23.

Department of Otolaryngology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.

Aim: To review the outcomes of two surgical techniques in the management of preauricular sinus in the pediatric population.

Methods: The clinical records of pediatric patients who underwent surgical excision of preauricular sinus in the Department of Otolaryngology of KK Children's and Women's Hospital between January 1997 and March 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were categorized into two groups, based on the method used for sinus tract visualization or delineation: (1) Microscope group and (2) methylene blue dye and probe group. Read More

Arch Dis Child 2013 Jan;98(1):84-7

Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Unit, Institute of Child Health, London, UK.

Korean J Audiol 2012 Sep 20;16(2):99-101. Epub 2012 Sep 20.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Preauricular sinuses are common congenital malformations that usually occur at the anterior margin of the ascending limb of the helix. There are rare cases in which the location of the preauricular sinus is posterior to the tragus, and the direction of the sinus tract is toward the posterior. This variant type of preauricular sinus is called, 'postauricular sinus'. Read More

J Pediatr Surg 2012 Aug;47(8):1604-6

Department of Paediatric ENT, Royal London Hospital, London, United Kingdom.

Branchiootoic syndrome is part of the spectrum of brachiootorenal disorders. Brachiootorenal disorder is a rare autosomal dominant condition, characterized by malformations of the outer, middle, and inner ear, which are associated with branchial and renal anomalies. We describe a case of bilateral branchiootoic syndrome and discuss the anatomy of second branchial cleft fistulae and the surgical management of this uncommon condition. Read More