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cauliflower ear
Aslo see auricular hematoma
Etiology:
- trauma to the external ear
Epidemiology:
- most common among boxers, wrestlers, martial arts participants, & rugby players
Pathology:
- collection of blood or other fluid under the perichondrium
- separation of ear cartilage from the overlying perichondrium
- formation of fibrous tissue in the overlying skin
Differential diagnosis:
- auricular hematoma
Management:
- prevention:
- incision & drainage* of auricular hematoma
- headgear 'scrum cap' in ruby, 'ear guard' in wresting
* compression dressing to stop bleeding
- closure with stitches [3]
Related
auricular hematoma
General
ear disease
skin disease (dermatologic disorder, dermatopathy, dermatosis)
osteochondropathy (disorder of bone & cartilage)
skeletal deformity
References
- Wikipedia: Cauliflower ear
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cauliflower_ear
- Greywoode JD, Pribitkin EA, Krein H.
Management of auricular hematoma and the cauliflower ear.
Facial Plast Surg. 2010 Dec;26(6):451-5. Review.
PMID: 21086231
- NEJM Knowledge+ Otolaryngology