What’s the Cause of a Woman’s Recurrent Left-Sided Ear Lesion?

Authors:
Kathryn Wanat, OMS-II; Stephanie Egwuatu, OMS-II; Carolyn Withee, OMS-II; Manon Begert, OMS-II; Kaylie Pierce, OMS-II; Cheyenne Rahimi, OMS-I, Megumi Sugita, OMS-II, Nathaniel Allen-Slaba, OMS-II, Michael Scott, DO, MPH; and Holly Novion

Citation:

Wanat K, Egwautu S, Withee C, et al. What’s the cause of a woman’s recurrent left-sided ear lesion? [published online June 26, 2018]. Consultant360.

A 34-year-old woman initially had presented to her primary care physician with an erythematous, swollen lesion on her left ear of 2 week’s duration. The physician had aspirated and drained the lesion, only to have it return 1 week later. The patient then had been referred to a dermatologist for further assessment of the lesion.

Physical examination. Upon examination by the dermatologist, the cystic lesion measured approximately 3 cm, extending from the antihelix of the crus to the inferior side of the antitragus of her left ear (Figure). The patient had no history of trauma, but the lesion was noted as occurring ipsilateral to the side she carries her 7-month-old infant. Of additional significance was her history of atopic dermatitis involving her body and face. The dermatologist aspirated the reappearing lesion, producing 6 mL of viscous yellow fluid resembling olive oil.

Figure. A 34-year-old woman presented with an erythematous, swollen left-sided lesion extending from the crus of the antihelix to the inferior side of the antitragus, measuring just over 3 cm.