ABSTRACT
Introduction: Keloids of the head and neck can result in significant disfigurement and psychological stress. Here we report a novel case of keloid formation at a well-healed postauricular incision presenting after a year of daily ear loop mask use and discuss unique considerations for management. Method(s): This is a retrospective case review of a 35-year-old African American man with Klinefelter syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and a history of hypertrophic scar formation who presented to otology clinic in 2015 with chronic left otitis media and cholesteatoma. He underwent left tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy in 2016 through a postauricular incision 1 cm posterior to retroauricular sulcus in a standard fashion. In 2018, the patient was noted to have a hypertrophic scar without extension beyond the borders of the incision that was stable until 2021. Result(s): In 2021, the patient was noted to develop a 12A 7-cm postauricular keloid in the setting of mechanical irritation from his mask worn throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the disfiguring cosmesis and resulting challenges securing an ear loop mask, he elected to undergo complete excision of the postauricular keloid with tension-free primary closure of the wound, intralesional corticosteroid injection (triamcinolone acetonide 40 mg/mL), and pressure dressing. The patient was counseled on options for mask wearing to avoid contact with the postauricular incision. Conclusion(s): When designing postauricular incisions in patients prone to hypertrophic scar or keloid formation, the point of postauricular contact of ear loop masks is a novel consideration to minimize risk of future pressure-related injury. Counseling on alternative face masks that tie behind the head or anchoring ear loops to buttons sewn onto a hat or headband are other preventative pressures.