Microsoft Word - DRM435BF

Petrified ear Pinnal ossification Exposure to hypothermia Auricular calcification Ectopic ossification Abstract A case of an otherwise healthy 66-year-old male with bilateral symmetric ossification of his ears is described. The rare occurrence of petrified ears is emphasized, and possible etiologic factors are discussed. No other explanation than anamnestic prolonged exposure to hypothermia was found. Stephan Lautenschlager, Dermatologische Universitätsklinik, Petersgraben 4, CH-4031 Basel (Switzerland) Case Report A 66-year-old male presented with symmetric and asymptomatic stiffening of both auricles. The induration had started 4 years ago, and his ears later changed to stone-hard consistency. The overlying skin was normal. The only complaint was discomfort while sleeping in a lateral position. The otherwise healthy patient denied any history of frostbites, but during his extensive skiing tours prolonged exposures to cold occurred. He could not recall any mechanical trauma, soreness or inflammation to the ears that might have caused tissue damage. Examination of the ears revealed both auricles to be of normal configuration but entirely rigid, except for the lobule (fig. 1). Sensation was normal. A symmetric presbycusis could be diagnosed. X-rays showed calcification of both auricles in a trabecular pattern suggestive of ossification (fig. 2). Biopsy of the right auricle revealed ear cartilage with change-over to lamellar bone (fig. 3). This process of ossification was limited to his ears.