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Treatment of chondrodermatitis nodularis with removal of the underlying cartilage alone: retrospective analysis of experience in 37 lesions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2006

J. A. de Ru
Affiliation:
the Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, UMC Utrecht, The Netherlands.
P. J. F. M. Lohuis
Affiliation:
European Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Gooi Noord Ziekenhuis, Blaricum, The Netherlands.
H. A. Saleh
Affiliation:
European Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Gooi Noord Ziekenhuis, Blaricum, The Netherlands.
H. D. Vuyk
Affiliation:
the Department of Otolaryngology/Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Gooi Noord Ziekenhuis, Blaricum, The Netherlands.

Abstract

Most otolaryngologists treat patients with chondrodermatitis nodularis (CDN) by wedge excision. Although the results of this technique are generally good, it can leave the patient with an asymmetric, deformed ear.

In the dermatological literature, a relatively straightforward technique has been described for the treatment of CDN by smoothing only the underlying cartilage. This is based on the assumption that CDN is caused by pressure necrosis of protuberant cartilage, and thus is primarily not a skin disease. Reports on this technique claim excellent cosmetic results with only a small chance of recurrence.

In the present study we analyse the application of this technique to 34 patients with 37 CDN lesions. All patients were symptom-free with a minimum follow-up of three months according to their medical reports.

Seventeen patients with 19 lesions were interviewed later by telephone. In a mean follow-up of 30.7 months, 34 of these patients remained symptom-free and only one required revision surgery. The authors recommend this safe and simple technique to other physicians who treat patients with CDN.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© Royal Society of Medicine Press Limited 2002

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