Elastotic nodules of the ears are a rare mentioned pathology that usually is misdiagnosed as chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis because of its similar clinical and macroscopic appearance. Also it can simulate a neoplasm (mainly a basal cell carcinoma) or a focal accumulation of amyloid or monosodium urate (gout)
Usually it appears as a painful papule localized in antihelix but can also affects the helix of the ear. It can be billateral.
It is very simple. The epidermis is essentially normal and in the dermis there is a nodular accumulation of elastotic actinic material. There are some telangiectatic vessels beneath the epidermis. The cartilage is normal, without inflammation or necrosis.
- Carter VH; Constantine VS; Poole WL: Elastotic nodules of the antihelix. Arch dermatol 1969; 100(3):282-5.
- Weedon D: Elastotic nodules of the ear. J Cutan Pathol 1981; 8:429-33.
- Requena L; Aguilar A; Sáncehz Yus E: Elastotic nodules of the ears. Cutis 1989; 44(6):452-4.
Suggested initial format of contributions (please feel free to modify as needed):
Clinical differential diagnosis:
Histological differential diagnosis:
Management and treatment: