Accessory auricle: Classification according to location, protrusion pattern and body shape

BACKGROUND: Accessory auricles (AAs) are common congenital anomalies. We present a new classification according to location and shape, and propose a system for coding the classifications. METHODS: This study was conducted by reviewing the records of 502 patients who underwent surgery for AA. AAs were classified into three anatomical types: intraauricular, preauricular, and buccal. Intraauricular AAs were divided into three subtypes: intracrural, intratragal, and intralobal. Preauricular AAs were divided into five subtypes: precrural, superior pretragal, middle pretragal, inferior pretragal, and prelobal. Buccal AAs were divided into two subtypes: anterior buccal and posterior buccal. AAs were also classified according to their protrusion pattern above the surrounding surface: pedunculated, sessile, areolar, remnant, and depressed.Pedunculated and sessile AAs were subclassified as spherical, ovoid, lobed, and nodular, according to their body shape. Cartilage root presence and family history of AA were reviewed. A coding system for these classifications was also proposed. RESULTS: The total number of AAs in the 502 patients was 1,003. Among the locations, the superior pretragal subtype (27.6%) was the most common. Among the protrusion patterns and shapes, pedunculated ovoid AAs were the most common in the preauricular (27.8%) and buccal areas (28.0%), and sessile lobed AAs were the most common in the intraauricular area (48.7%). The proportion of AAs with a cartilage root was 78.4%, and 11% of patients had a family history. The most common type of preauricular AA was the superior pretragal pedunculated ovoid AA (13.2%) with a cartilage root. CONCLUSIONS: This new system will serve as a guideline for classifying and coding AAs.

Treatment of intractable parotid sialocele occurred after open reduction-fixation of mandibular subcondylar fracture

A sialocele is a subcutaneous cavity containing saliva, most often caused by facial trauma or iatrogenic complications. In subcondylar fractures, most surgeons are conscious of facial nerve injury; however, they usually pay little attention to the parotid duct injury. We report the case of a 41-year-old man with a sialocele, approximately 5×3 cm in size, which developed 1 week after subcondylar fracture reduction. The sialocele became progressively enlarged despite conservative management. Computed tomography showed a thin-walled cyst between the body and tail of the parotid gland. Fluid leakage outside the cyst was noted where the skin was thin. Sialography showed a cutting edge of the inferior interlobular major duct before forming the common major duct that seemed to be injured during the subcondylar fracture reduction process. We decided on prompt surgical treatment, and the sialocele was completely excised. A duct from the parotid tail, secreting salivary secretion into the cyst, was ligated. Botulinum toxin was administrated to block the salivary secretion and preventing recurrence. Treatment was successful. In addition, we found that parotid major ducts are enveloped by the deep lobe and extensive dissection during the subcondylar fracture reduction may cause parotid major duct injury.

Treatment of Tongue Lymphangioma with Intralesional Combination Injection of Steroid, Bleomycin and Bevacizumab

Lymphangioma is a congenital malformed lymphatic tumor that rarely involves the tongue. In our clinic, a 10-year-old female presented with lymphangioma circumscriptum involving the right two-thirds of the tongue. We administered an intralesional combination injection of triamcinolone, bleomycin, and bevacizumab as a treatment. Almost complete remission after combination therapy was achieved without complications such as edema, swallowing difficulties or recurrence. Bevacizumab, an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor, was effective for the treatment of lymphangioma of the tongue in this case. No recurrence was noted at the 1-year follow up.