ABSTRACT
Calcification of the auricular cartilages is a very rare finding observed in metabolic disorders like Addison's disease, adrenal insufficiency or diabetes. Its aetiology and physiopathological mechanisms remain unclear. It may be caused by exposure to cold or trauma in the cartilage but in a significant number of cases, ossification occurs without the identification of the precipitating cause or event. We present the clinical and pathologic findings of a patient suffering from Addison's disease who developed auricular bilateral calcification. The literature is reviewed and the physiopathological hypotheses discussed.
Subject(s)
Addison Disease/complications , Addison Disease/pathology , Adrenal Insufficiency/complications , Calcinosis/complications , Calcinosis/pathology , Cartilage Diseases/complications , Cartilage Diseases/pathology , Ear, External/pathology , Calcinosis/diagnostic imaging , Cartilage Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , RadiographyABSTRACT
El hallazgo de pabellones auriculares duros y rígidos a la palpación es un hecho muy infrecuente y poco conocido. Se debe a la calcificación de los cartílagos auriculares que aparece en enfermedades metabólicas como la insuficiencia suprarrenal o la diabetes. Su etiología y su mecanismo fisiopatológico no están del todo aclarados. También se lo ha relacionado con la exposición al frío o traumatismos del cartílago auricular, pero en un significativo número de casos se produce sin conocimiento de su origen o causa precipitante. Presentamos el caso de un paciente con insuficiencia suprarrenal primaria (enfermedad de Addison) en el que se desarrolló una calcificación auricular bilateral, revisamos la literatura y discutimos las hipótesis fisiopatológicas
Calcification of the auricular cartilages is a very rare finding observed in metabolic disorders like Addison's disease, adrenal insufficiency or diabetes. Its aetiology and physiopathological mechanisms remain unclear. It may be caused by exposure to cold or trauma in the cartilage but in a significant number of cases, ossification occurs without the identification of the precipitating cause or event. We present the clinical and pathologic findings of a patient suffering from Addison's disease who developed auricular bilateral calcification. The literature is reviewed and the physiopathological hypotheses discussed
