Introduction
The diagnosis of accessory auricle may
be missed because of its infrequent occurrence.
Accessory auricle is an elastic cartilaginous
skeleton covered with skin like a tragus. It
is most commonly localized just anterior to
the tragus or ascending crus of the helix. If
the condition is large enough to resemble an
additional pinna, it will be defined as polyotia,
an extremely rare condition, which only twenty
cases had been reported in the world literature1
.
It differs from the preauricular tag which does
not contain a cartilage underneath2
.
The external ear is derived from the first
(mandible) and second (hyoid) branchial arches.
The tragus and the crus of helix are mainly
formed by the first brachial arch, while the helix,
antihelix, superior crus, inferior crus, and earlobe
are evolved from the second branchial arch1-5.
The accessory auricle is an anomaly caused by
embryologically failure of proper fusion of the
first branchial arch during auricle development.
The treatment of accessory auricle is surgical
removal for cosmetic. Since this condition can
related to other associated disorders, a complete
examination and audiological examination should
be considered. This article is purposely for
review and updates the related abnormality with
accessory auricle.