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

ABSTRACT

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.