Cryptotia is a hereditary ear deformity in which the upper portion of the ear appears buried beneath the mastoid skin (the side of the head). The upper portion of the auricle is beneath the person’s temporal skin, it can be pulled out by the hand, after it is released it returns to its’ original position. The buried state of this portion of the ear is not considered cosmetically acceptable. A patient suffering from Cryptotia has difficulty wearing items on their face, such as glasses or masks. Research has shown that it is more likely to affect people in countries in Asia than people in any other country. It is speculated that 1 in 400 Japanese people will be born with this condition.[1]
Cause
editThe cause of Cryptotia is yet unknown, many doctors have speculated about what the cause could be, there can be many different causes.
Types Of Cryptotia
editDoctors have classified this disease into two different types according to the type of antihelix deformity as well as the state of the intrinsic auricular muscle.
- In type I Cryptotia, the body as well as the superior crus of the antihelix are compressed together so that the upper portion is buried beneath the skin. [1]
- In type II cryptotia, there is a gross contraction of the body of the antihelix, and the inferior crus of the antihelix is acutely bent over. [1]
Treatment
editThere are different ways the disease can be treated, this depends on the severity of the condition.
- For a mild case there is a non-surgical procedure, it is basically pulling the buried part of the ear from beneath the temporal epidermis. This type of treatment is generally done with a prosthesis, this prosthesis stretches and weakens the auricular muscles. This type of non-surgical treatment is generally reserved for people who are extremely young as well as people with a mild deformity. [2]
- Surgery is another type of treatment that is also used, this is a treatment that is generally used for a moderate to severe deformity, it is also used for older patients. The surgery involves releasing the ear from its buried position, reshaping the cartilage and using local tissue to resurface the released cartilage.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Seok-Kwon, K. Chung-Min, Y. Keun-Cheol, L. (November, 2012). Considerations for the Management of Cryptotia Based on the Experience of 34 Patients. Archives Of Plastic Surgery, 39. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3518002/
- ^ Ho, S. Lee, D. Yellon, R. (September, 2000). Cryptotia. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surgery, 123. Retrieved from http://oto.sagepub.com/content/123/3/339.extract
- ^ University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, School of Medicine. "Cryptotia". Retrieved December 28, 2011.
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