Introduction
The ears are tender organs that help understand the soundwaves with the help of tiny structures present within them. The external surface of the ear has many curves and bends that are designed in a way to guide the soundwaves in a proper direction. Occasionally, some bumps on the external surface of the ear could be caused due to infections and inflammatory reactions to foreign objects or external agents, which may be harmful. However, sometimes these bumps could be genetic and may not be harmful. Such extra tissue on the outer surface of the ear is called preauricular tags. They are noticed in a few children at birth, and although they do not have much clinical significance, proper knowledge can prevent the occurrence of any consequences.
What Is Preauricular Area?
The preauricular or preauricular area is the head and face region in front of the ears. It includes skin, subcutaneous tissues, and underlying structures like the temporalis muscle, parotid gland, and facial nerve. It is important to perform various procedures like ear surgery and plastic surgery. It is also a common location of preauricular pits and tags.
What Are the Uses of Preauricular Area?
The preauricular area is important for assessing lymph nodes, especially during infections and inflammatory responses. Swelling or redness of the preauricular area may refer to sinusitis or otitis media. Preauricular is an anatomically complex region that comprises various structures.
What Are Preauricular Tags?
Preauricular tags are otherwise known as preauricular pits or ear tags. They are tiny pieces of flesh that may or may not be pigmented and appear as a bump near the external surface of the ear. The preauricular tags are usually seen at birth and in the front of the ear at the junction where the ears and face meet.
It is common and affects almost 1 in 100 to 1 in 1000 newborns. It is generally harmless and does not cause any pain or discomfort. However, sometimes preauricular tags could be associated with other medical conditions like hearing loss or kidney problems. Since it is usually noticed at birth, the doctor may perform a few hearing tests and insist on follow-ups to prevent the progression of preauricular tags.
What Are the Causes of Preauricular Tags?
Most preauricular tags occur early when the baby forms in the mother’s womb. When the parts of the ear do not come together, there are higher chances of preauricular tags. The exact cause of preauricular tags is not relatively clear. Sometimes ear tags may run in families. However, very rarely are ear tags a part of a genetic syndrome.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Preauricular Tags?
The following are a few signs and symptoms that may occur in preauricular tags.
-
Small lump or flesh in front of the ears.
-
Presence of a nodule or mound of tissue.
-
The mound is usually in front of the ears.
-
It could be present on one side or both.
-
It is usually seen at birth.
-
It is discovered through routine physical examination.
-
It could also be associated with congenital abnormalities like hearing loss.
-
It rarely causes any pain or discomfort.
Is Preauricular Tag Harmful?
The primary problem with the preauricular tag is its appearance. It is usually not harmful. However, it may occasionally lead to benign cysts or infections, which could grow into pus-filled masses or abscesses. An abscess is a collection of cells that cause infection. This may lead to ear infections, causing pain and inflammation of the ears. In such cases, proper medical attention is recommended to treat the condition promptly. Besides, the doctor may prescribe a few antibiotics that help to treat ear infections. Depending on the degree of infection, these antibiotics could be in ointments or tablets.
How Are Preauricular Tags Diagnosed?
Most preauricular tags are diagnosed at birth. While a child is born, regular screening is done to detect any birth defects. If the hearing test indicates any problem, the doctor may order more investigation to rule out any abnormalities.
How Are Preauricular Tags Treated?
The treatment for preauricular tags is usually not required if it is benign and does not cause any pain. However, if there are any associated abnormalities, the doctor may thoroughly examine the condition to determine potential complications. Rarely, surgery may be required to remove the tag and correct any abnormalities.
Most preauricular tags are harmless and do not need any medical intervention. However, if the tag causes any major issue, like recurrent infections, it may be removed surgically.
-
Surgical removal is a minor procedure performed under local anesthesia (a numbing agent), so the patient feels no pain. The surgeon incisions around the tag without damaging any vital structures, removing the unwanted tissue completely. The wound is closed with stitches and usually removed after a week to aid healing. The procedure is usually well tolerated as it causes minimal pain and scarring.
-
If the preauricular tag has other associated abnormalities, it could indicate hearing loss or kidney problems. So further evaluation and management may be necessary. So the doctor may refer the patient to an audiologist or nephrologist to proceed with further testing.
-
After the opinion from the specialist, the hearing loss is treated by asking the patient to use hearing aids. Hearing aids are medical devices that help to amplify sound and aid with hearing. This helps the individual to communicate and participate in daily activities at ease. Depending on the type of hearing loss, the doctor may recommend using hearing aids in either one or both ears.
Conclusion
Preauricular tags are small growth of tissues found in front of the ear, possibly due to a genetic defect or hereditary reasons. They are usually harmless; however, some tags are frequently prone to infections. In such cases, it may require treating the condition by removing the preauricular tag to prevent recurrence in the future. Post-surgery, the doctor may follow up for a review and analyze the healing of the condition. Any minor changes in preauricular tags must be reported immediately for prompt treatment and speedy recovery.
