Chondrodermatitis nodularis chronica helicis

© 2017 Indian Dermatology Online Journal | Published by Wolters Kluwer Medknow Sir, A 48‐year‐old otherwise healthy man presented with a 3‐year history of a small painful nodule on the right ear. There was aggravation of pain whenever the patient slept in right lateral position. There was no history of trauma. On examination, the free border of the right helix showed a dome‐shaped, firm nodule with central crusting [Figure 1]. It was tender on palpation. No cervical lymphadenopathy was observed. Clinical differentials included chondrodermatitis nodularis chronica helicis (CNCH), actinic keratosis, milia, and keratoacanthoma. Histopathology of the lesion showed sharply‐defined, centrally‐depressed ulcer covered by a hyperkeratotic parakeratotic stratum corneum. The adjacent epidermis showed remarkable acanthosis and hyperkeratosis. The base of the ulcer showed eosinophilic degeneration of collagen and solar elastosis, surrounded by mild lymphomononuclear infiltrate [Figure 2a and b]. Underlying cartilage was not seen in the section. Considering clinical and histopathological findings, diagnosis of CNCH was made.